THE GEOS-II HEAT PIPE SYSTEM AND ITS PERFORMANCE IN TEST AND ORBIT

Abstract

The GEOS-II spacecraft is the first satellite to be equipped with a heat pipe as an integral part of the thermal design. The heat pipe, a device of extremely high effective thermal conductivity, is employed to minimize the temperature differences between transponders located in opposite quadrants of the spacecraft. Measured heat transfer rates through the pipe of as much as 64 watts, together with small temperature gradients on the outside of the heat pipe, are evidence of proper operation. Based on a 145-day observation period, transponder maximum and minimum temperatures show significant improvement over those of GEOS-I.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1969
Accession Number
AD0693028

Entities

People

  • R. E. Harkness

Organizations

  • Johns Hopkins University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Bench Tests
  • C Band
  • Conductivity
  • Heat Pipes
  • Heat Sinks
  • Heat Transfer
  • Heat Transfer Devices
  • Measurement
  • Observation
  • Physics Laboratories
  • Power Levels
  • Space Sciences
  • Spacecraft
  • Temperature Gradients
  • Thermal Conductivity
  • Transponders

Readers

  • Aerospace Test and Evaluation
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Thermal Physics or Thermal Science.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster
  • Space - Satellites