In-Orbit Demonstration of Two-Phase Heat Transport Technology: TPX/G557Development and Pre-Launch Testing

摘要

Mechanically and capillary pumped two-phase heat transport systems are currentlydeveloped to meet the high power and long transport distance requirements of thermal management systems for future spacecraft. Compared to existing single-phase systems, two-phase loops offer important advantages: reduced overall mass and pumping power consumption, virtually isothermal behavior, adjustable working temperature, insensitivity to variations in heat load and sink temperature, and high flexibility with respect to the location of heat sources within the loop. As two-phase flow and heat transfer in low-gravity environment is expected to (considerably) differ from terrestrial behavior, the technology of two-phase heat transport systems and their components is to be demonstrated in orbit. Therefore, a Dutch-Belgian Two-Phase eXperiment (TPX) has been developed within the ESA In-Orbit Technology Demonstration Program. The Payload Acceptance Review status of TPX is discussed: design, manufacture, and test results.