Computer Aided Thermal Analysis of a Technology Demonstration Satellite (NPSAT1)

Abstract

The thermal control system of a spacecraft is used to maintain all subsystems within their temperature limits. It must be able to deal with different operational states and orbital environments. Theory provides knowledge about the quality of effects of certain designs options but for a complex system like a spacecraft simulations are needed for qualification. This thesis has two main purposes. Critical parts concerning thermal control in the current design are identified and the thermal design for NPSATl is improved. Furthermore this developed design is analyzed for being appropriate and temperature-time predictions are developed. Both design objectives are accomplished with the help of EDS 1-DEAS with Maya's TMG. After defining all constraints and requirements a thermal FE model is developed documented and verified. Simulations with this model are used to track insufficiencies concerning the thermal design. With their help, different design approaches are analyzed to obtain sensitivity information. Proposals for design changes are made Four worst-case scenarios are defined and the developed design is evaluated with their help.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 05, 2003
Accession Number
ADA413589

Entities

People

  • Martin Gruhlke

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Climate Change
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Control Systems
  • Electric Power
  • Energy Transfer
  • Heat Capacity
  • Heat Energy
  • Heat Pipes
  • Heat Transfer
  • Optical Properties
  • Solar Panels
  • Space Systems
  • Spacecraft
  • Surface Properties
  • Thermodynamics

Fields of Study

  • Engineering
  • Physics

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Software Engineering
  • Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites