Aerospace Applications

Aerospace Thermal Control Technologies 

Satellite Thermal Control Trends

With the ever-increasing demand for national, international and military space-based communications and the evolution of space electronics (miniaturisation, complexity, and integration), satellite thermal control subsystem (TCS) must accommodate significant increases in waste heat dissipation. As a result, thermal control of satellite and spacecraft electronics is a significant issue and requires advanced thermal management solutions. To enable effective cooling of spacecraft electronics, Thermacore offers a variety of Heat Pipe and Loop Heat Pipe technologies to provide efficient and low mass thermal solutions.

Thermacore Heat Pipes for Aerospace applications include Constant Conductance (CCHP) and Variable Conductance (VCHP) axially grooved ammonia and copper-water heat pipe systems. Thermacore’s copper-water heat pipes are qualifi ed for use on spacecraft, and have been successfully used on the Navy Windcat Microwave Radiometer Satellite. Thermacore’s Axially Grooved Ammonia Heat Pipes can be integrated into the radiator panels of the satellite thermal control subsystems. Thermacore and our radiator panel supplier partners can provide these heat pipes embedded in a structural honeycomb panel.

Loop Heat Pipes for Aerospace Applications

As more and more electronics are being packaged into satellites, providing adequate thermal control through radiation heat rejection with limited surface area becomes more challenging. Heat rejection radiator panels that can be stowed for launch and then deployed from the satellite on orbit are required. Thermacore’s loop heat pipe technology makes heat rejection through deployable radiators possible. Thermacore’s loop heat pipe technology is capable of transporting and rejecting heat loads from 100’s of Watts to greater than 2000 Watts.