Heat Pipe Network of TDF-1/TV-Sat. Review of the Development at Completion

摘要

A heat pipe network composed of 86 constant conductance heat pipes of different diameters and arranged along the 3 axes was developed to handle the 2.3 kW heat load generated by the TDF satellites (1.3 kW dissipated inside the satellite). A test program involving more and more complex elements allowed the clarification of each of the problem areas related to the heat pipe design, such as ground testing representativity for 0g predictions, thermal contact between highly dissipative units and heat pipes, and integrity of junctions under mechanical stress. The tests enabled the validation of the heat pipe junction technology and showed the need for special care for on-ground testing as well as the influence of gravity on heat pipe performances. The elementary test results followed by the overall thermal tests on communication module structure and thermal module, and protoflight models led to a great confidence in in-orbit temperatures predicted just before flight. The concept fulfills the thermal control requirements with a good margin.