DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION AND INSTALLATION OF A NEW ELECTRONIC TEMPERATURE DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEM (TEMPDAS) FOR THE ESTEC LARGE SPACE SIMULATOR (LSS)

摘要

The ESTEC Large Space Simulator (LSS) provides close simulation of in-orbit environmental conditions. The LSS is equipped with a two-axis Motion System, which permits a test article to be placed within the LSS in any position relative to the angle of incidence of solar radiation. Temperature measurement signals generated by thermocouples fixed on the rotating test article are connected to the main data handling system through a Slip-Ring Unit. A high-accuracy multi-channel Temperature Data Acquisition System (TEMPDAS) has been developed for specific use in the LSS. The concept of TEMPDAS is to multiplex, condition and measure the signals from the thermocouple sensors inside the LSS and send the digital measurement data to the data-handling unit. The National Aerospace Laboratory NLR designed, manufactured and tested two Data Collection Units, enabling TEMPDAS to measure 864 thermocouple signals. This paper presents a full description of the main project phases and their outcomes from unit prototyping to final unit verification and installation. Special attention is paid to address some critical design and manufacturing items encountered in the course of the development and to highlight the technical solutions implemented to surmount the difficulties.