Advanced thermal-control systems as applied to future NASA spacecraft

Abstract

It is pointed out that active thermal control systems can theoretically provide a more isothermal spacecraft at less power and weight than required by conventional passive systems. The present paper is concerned with a study of the advantages, with respect to weight and power savings, which can be achieved by using active thermal control systems in future NASA spacecraft. In the study, a prototype NASA spacecraft, based on the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), is considered. In order to represent thermal requirements of future spacecraft, the UARS requirements were modified for the prototype, which was called AEOS (advanced earth-orbiting spacecraft). Five types of active thermal-control systems were considered. The results which can be obtained with the different thermal-control systems are compared.