The flight model Stirling cryocooler system for the INTEGRAL spectrometer

摘要

The Astrium Stirling cycle cryocooler system is to provide cooling for the spectrometer on the International Gamma Ray Astrophysics Laboratory (INTEGRAL), an ESA space science satellite. This system has been designed, manufactured, assembled and tested by ASTRIUM Ltd. under direct ESA contract. It is comprised of four standard 50-80 K Stirling cryocoolers, arranged in redundant pairs and configured for vibration minimization. Two spare cryocoolers have also been fully validated. Heritage has been maximized by using mechanisms with existing flight heritage and previously qualified flexible thermal link assemblies. Performance characterization of the flight cryocoolers has been completed, including verification of cooling capability, passive vibration control, synchronization of the two pairs and the effectiveness of the active launch-lock control of compressor and displacer pistons.