Abstract
The combined knowledge-bases of architecture theory, thermal design, and advanced technologies have been used to develop a modular approach to thermal control. This new approach was designed specifically for the requirements of a modular spacecraft, reducing or eliminating the system-level coupling and interdependencies of traditional thermal designs. The decoupling of the thermal subsystem allows improved control methods using advanced technologies that control the heat leaving the spacecraft. These control methods eliminate the need for survival heaters, reducing mass and power as well as simplifying the analysis effort required for verification and validation of the design. In addition, the modular approach allows fundamentally different designs to be incorporated into the spacecraft architecture and structure. The modular thermal approach, structural implications, and system implications are explained with illustrations and examples.
Presentation Slides
Implications of Advanced Thermal Control Architecture for Modular Spacecraft
The combined knowledge-bases of architecture theory, thermal design, and advanced technologies have been used to develop a modular approach to thermal control. This new approach was designed specifically for the requirements of a modular spacecraft, reducing or eliminating the system-level coupling and interdependencies of traditional thermal designs. The decoupling of the thermal subsystem allows improved control methods using advanced technologies that control the heat leaving the spacecraft. These control methods eliminate the need for survival heaters, reducing mass and power as well as simplifying the analysis effort required for verification and validation of the design. In addition, the modular approach allows fundamentally different designs to be incorporated into the spacecraft architecture and structure. The modular thermal approach, structural implications, and system implications are explained with illustrations and examples.
