Publication Date:
2019-07-13
Description:
Flight data for the different operational modes of the advanced thermal control flight experiment are presented and compared with ground-test data. Performance of the system with feedback control is compared to performance without such control, and performances of the individual components are analyzed. Finally, changes in performance from launch through March 31, 1975, are discussed and analyzed. All thermal control components are performing as predicted for the existing flight environment. However, the daily reservoir and radiator temperatures during peak solar input are greater than those experienced in ground acceptance tests. These increased temperatures have resulted in a loss of control by the feedback-controlled variable-conductance heat pipe for several hours around the period of maximum insolation. The higher temperatures are apparently due to contamination and/or degradation of the second-surface mirrors which cover the reservoir and radiator.
Keywords:
FLUID MECHANICS AND HEAT TRANSFER
Type:
AIAA PAPER 75-727
,
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Thermophysics Conference; May 27, 1975 - May 29, 1975; Denver, CO
Format:
text
Permalink