Design
| Enviro |
Astro | Propulsion
| Power | Thermal
| Structures | AD&C
| CDHS |
Test
Satellites
are exposed to hot and cold extremes
from sunlight and shade. Electronics and power sources
produce significant amounts of internal heat. Thermal
control systems regulate these temperatures within
limits for proper operation of spacecraft components.
Thermal
Control
Heat
transfer describes
how thermal energy moves from one point to another.
Passive
thermal control devices include radiators, multilayer
insulation (MLI) and simple heat pipes.
Active
thermal control devices include commandable heaters,
electrically controlled louvers and variable conductance
heat pipes.
