| In order to mitigate the risk of utilizing cryocoolers in space-based sensors, I proposed four key strategies:; First, further refinement/development of the Fiber Support Technology (FiST) Focal Plane Array (FPA) support approach, developed as part of my master's thesis, was necessary to make the concept a valid support technology for optical systems.; Second, development of a thermal link technology that allows the user of cryocooler systems to attach a highly conductive, highly flexible thermal link to the fragile cold head of a cryocooler.; Third, development of a plan that outlines critical aspects of thermal modeling when utilizing a cryocooler in a space-based sensor and application to a current program at the Space Dynamics Lab (SDL) called SABER.; Fourth, understanding and outlining the lifetime and reliability issues relating to cryocoolers in sensor systems.; These four strategies were accomplished with great success. A FiST unit has been developed which possesses thermal isolation capabilities that are second to none. Comparable support approaches traditionally used in the past have heat loads that are nearly double. In addition, FiST has been proven to be optically stable, making it an appropriate candidate for cooled optical component support.; A thermal link process has been developed which provides unsurpassed thermal performance coupled with the needed flexibility to be used in a cryocooler system. Thermal tests indicate that these links are behaving thermally, like a solid cross section of material with no joints in the thermal path.; A thermal model, which illustrates the necessity of including the small details, that may have been neglected previously, has been built and correlated to a ground-based thermal-vacuum system and to operational data from orbit. This model achieved an unprecedented level of accuracy and has been the basis for commendations by NASA engineers and project scientists. This effort clearly has shown the importance of accurate modeling when using cryocoolers in space-based sensor systems.; Other key lifetime and reliability issues have been identified and clarified. |
