Development of a Microelectromechanical System for Small Satellite Thermal Control

Abstract

Trends in space technology require future satellites to be smaller and cheaper than their contemporary counterparts. This new direction requires a similar evolution in thermal control. Previous techniques such as heat pipes and conventional radiators have large masses themselves and are not scaleable to fit these smaller designs. Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) offer unique advantages in mass and scalability. By coating a satellite with thousands of MEMS devices, thermal control can respond to variations in thermal capacity. This project involved the development of a variable radiator that would control a satellite(Y)s temperature by changing the heat conduction between the satellite and a MEMS surface coating. These MEMS devices operate by using a voltage to deflect an emissive surface layer into thermal contact with the structure below. By designing for a voltage of 20 to 24V, these devices can operate on the bus voltage supplied by many satellites produced today. Testing has shown that these devices operated at this desired voltage level. The electromechanical and thermal properties of the device were modeled. These models provided insight into the design dimensions that dominated the voltage and power characteristics as well as the heat flow. The devices were tested for both their thermal and electrostatic properties. The modeling predictions were found to be accurate for the required device voltages. With the insight gained from modeling and testing, a new design was made offering greater thermal performance while maintaining low operating voltages. This design incorporated different materials allowing easier device fabrication and higher wafer yields. It also used different physical dimensions to improve thermal performance. Finally, this project developed the packaging requirements of this device for flight on the MIDSTAR I satellite.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 06, 2004
Accession Number
ADA424969

Entities

People

  • Matthew A. Beasley

Organizations

  • United States Naval Academy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Energy
  • Fabrication
  • Heat Transfer
  • Heat Transmission
  • Integrated Circuits
  • Measurement
  • Microelectromechanical Systems
  • Micromachining
  • Picosatellites
  • Small Satellites
  • Space Systems
  • Spacecraft
  • Thermal Conductivity
  • Three Dimensional
  • United States Naval Academy

Fields of Study

  • Engineering
  • Physics

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Integrated Circuit Design and Technology.
  • Thermal Physics or Thermal Science.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster
  • Space - Satellites