Spacecraft Thermal Control

Summary: - provides background on the fundamentals of Heat Transfer which gives the reader a better understanding of the phenomenon and the way Space Thermal Control Systems works - merges the experience of the authors in teaching aerospace engineering topics with the experience as compilers of the 'Spacecraft Thermal Control Design Data Handbook' of the European Space Agency and the development of in orbit thermal control systems for Spanish and ESA Missions - the engineering approach is enhanced with a full section on Thermal Control Design, Analysis and Testing - examples are balanced between American and European missions, so the vision of the reader on existing systems is more complete Thermal control systems are an essential element of spacecraft design, ensuring that all parts of the spacecraft remain within acceptable temperature ranges at all times. Spacecraft thermal control describes the fundamentals of thermal control design and reviews current thermal control technologies. The book begins with an overview of space missions and a description of the space environment, followed by coverage of the heat transfer processes relevant to the field. In the third part of the book, current thermal control technologies are described, and in the final part, design, analysis and testing techniques are reviewed. About the authors:Professor José Meseguer is a Full Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), and the Director of IDR/UPM, an Institute of UPM for Aerospace Research and Development activities; he has worked in several ESA/ESTEC contracts on thermal control (Spacecraft Thermal Control Design Data Handbook). Dr. Pérez-Grande is Associate Professor of Thermodynamics at UPM, and the Head of the Thermal Control Division of IDR/UPM. She was responsible for the thermal control design and testing of the satellite UPM-Sat 1, as well as the thermal control of several instruments for ESA missions. Professor Sanz-Andrés was the technical director of the satellite UPM-Sat 1, and is Full Professor of Aerospace Engineering at UPM; he is advisor in thermal and structural design in the development of several scientific space instruments. Member of the European Space Agency (ESA) "Physical Science Working Group" (PSWG). Contents: The space mission; Space environment; Klepterian orbits; Conductive heat transfer; Thermal radiation heat transfer; Thermal control surfaces; Insulation systems; Radiators; Louvers; Mechanical interfaces; Heat pipes; Phase-change capacitors; Heaters; Pumped fluid loops; Mechanically pumped two-phase fluid loops; Thermoelectric cooling; Cryogenic systems; Thermal protection systems; Thermal control design; Thermal mathematical models; Thermal control testing.