Tethered satellite thermal design and test

Abstract

The Tethered Satellite System (TSS) is the first Shuttle Orbiter mission that investigates electrodynamic phenomenon of a 20 km conductive tether, in space. The TSS Mission is planned for January 1992. The 'Deployer' that provides the mechanisms that control a tethered satellite is mounted on a Spacelab Pallet. The Deployer thermal design uses Multilayer Insulation (MLI), heaters, and the Spacelab payload freon loop. The pallet and Deployer are isolated from the space thermal environment with MLI that forms an enclosure that is a unique part of the thermal design. This paper describes the TSS thermal design, presents the analysis approach, and details the Deployer thermal balance test.