The Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems (NGAS)`s MicroCooler is a split configuration pulse tube coolerincorporating a coaxial cold head connected via a transfer line to a vibrationally balanced back to back linear flexurebearing compressor. Designed for > 10 year operation with no degradation in performance, this 900 gram cryocoolerincorporates a very efficient pulse tube cold head for operation over a range of temperatures above 40K.This paper presents the results of a series of tests designed to qualify the NGAS MicroCooler to the TechnologyReadiness Level (TRL) 6. The MicroCooler was subjected to launch vibration and thermal cycling conditions appropriateto space applications. The measured load lines and unchanged refrigeration performance of the cooler throughout thequalification program demonstrated the robustness of the design. The performance of the MicroCooler was alsocharacterized over a range of rejection temperatures and input powers to demonstrate its suitability for a wide range ofmissions and applications.The successful completion of series of tests has demonstrated that this very small, low vibration, high frequencycooler is qualified to be integrated into space payloads or an integrated detector cooler assembly (IDCA) for tacticalapplications, similar to those used with shorter lived tactical coolers.
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