Thermal Control

Heat transfer: The science of transferring thermal energy from one point to another.

Three modes of heat transfer: Conduction, convection, radiation.

Solar radiation: Heat transfer from the sun to a spacecraft in orbit.

Albedo: The measure of reflected solar radiation from a surface.

Infrared radiation: The heat energy radiated by a spacecraft back into the environment.

Thermal insulation: The use of materials to reduce unwanted heat transfer between a spacecraft and its environment.

Thermal conductivity: The measure of a material's ability to conduct heat.

Thermal capacitance: The measure of a material's ability to store and release thermal energy.

Temperature control: The use of thermal control systems to regulate the temperature of a spacecraft.

Passive thermal control: The use of materials and design to regulate the temperature of a spacecraft without active systems.

Active thermal control: The use of active systems, such as heaters and coolers, to regulate the temperature of a spacecraft.

Heat pipes: A passive thermal control system that uses capillary action to transfer heat.

Radiators: A passive thermal control system that uses an emittance surface to radiate heat away from a spacecraft.

Coolers: An active thermal control system that removes excess heat from a spacecraft.

Heaters: An active thermal control system that provides heat to a spacecraft.

Thermal sensors: Devices used to measure temperature and thermal changes.

Thermal simulations: The use of computer models to predict how a spacecraft will behave in different thermal environments.

Thermal vacuum testing: Testing a spacecraft's thermal performance in a simulated vacuum environment.

Thermal shock testing: Testing a spacecraft's thermal performance under rapidly changing temperature conditions.

Spacecraft thermal design: The process of designing a spacecraft to meet its specific thermal requirements.

Passive thermal control: The spacecraft is designed in such a way that it requires no active cooling systems, relying solely on materials, surface coatings, orientation and surface shading to manage heat.

Active thermal control: The spacecraft uses active systems such as radiators, heaters, and heat exchangers to balance temperatures.

Thermal coatings: Coatings on the spacecraft surface are designed to reflect or absorb specific wavelengths of radiation, which can help regulate temperature.

Multi-layer insulation: This design involves multiple layers of reflective materials that are separated by low-conductivity spacers to limit heat flow into or out of the spacecraft.

Heat pipes: These devices contain a fluid, such as ammonia or water, which evaporates and condenses to transport heat between different parts of the spacecraft.

Variable emissivity devices: These devices can adjust their surface properties to emit or absorb heat radiation as required.

Thermal blankets: These blankets wrap around sensitive areas of the spacecraft like the engine, fuel tanks, and electronics, to keep them at a steady temperature.

Loop heat pipes: These are advanced heat pipes that are used to move heat over long distances.

Temperature-sensitive materials: These materials change their properties based on the temperature, such as shape or conductivity, to manage heat.

Radiators: Radiators use thermal radiation to dissipate heat produced by the spacecraft.