Flight temperatures and their predictions from two spacecraft were compared to thermal balance test data and test predictions. Results show that locations with good test correlation (agreement between model predictions and test data) did not necessarily have similar correlation in flight. Thermal models that were correlated extremely well, however, showed the tendency toward better flight correlation. Thermal model correlation was successful in eliminating large temperature discrepancies and providing a necessary understanding of the thermal design. Furthermore, flight data verified the continued use of an ±11°C thermal uncertainty margin in spacecraft thermal design. Keywords: thermal balance test, thermal uncertainty margin, thermal model correlation, flight temperature difference, and correlation criteria.
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