Concept development for the cyrogenic thermal management of the Russian-American observational satellites (RAMOS)

For the past several years, cryogenically cooled sensors have become a popular method of observation and study for both space-based and ground-based operations. Accordingly, various cooling techniques have been developed to accommodate this group of sensors. Because of rising performance standards and escalating cost limitations, cryocoolers have become an impressive cooling technique to consider. This report focuses on the use of a mechanical cryocooler in conjunction with the Russian American Observational Satellites (RAMOS). RAMOS consists of two co- orbital satellites which will map using infrared radiometers. The telescope focal plane assembly will be cooled using a multiple cryocooler configuration to approximately 60 K. The use of multiple coolers introduces redundancy into the cooling system. The cooling system will also incorporate various other new technologies, such as thermal disconnects, a thermal storage unit, and low- resistance flexible thermal links to meet the overall system requirements. Incorporating thermal switches and thermal storage units into a cooling system design can alleviate the concerns of cryocooler vibration and parasitic heat loads from the redundant cooler. An understanding of these concepts and configurations will assist in the design of similar optical instruments for both space-based and ground- based exploration campaigns.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.