Verification approach for the thermal control of manned space systems: Columbus and Hermes
Abstract
Among the space programs presently under development in Europe are Columbus and Hermes. Both require the presence of a crew on board; the stringent safety requirements heavily affect the design and drive the definition of the verification approach for the whole system, and in particular for the thermal control subsystem, which is subdivided into two sections: Active Thermal Control Subsystem (ATCS) and Passive Thermal Control Subsystem (PTCS). The verification of any thermal control system cannot rely on analysis only. Hence an extensive thermal test campaign is required at the subsystem and the system level. The traditional solar simulation/thermal balance test in vaccum, commonly adopted as the final (and sometimes unique) experimental verification for new design spacecraft, is not applicable to Columbus and Hermes for technical and cost reasons. An overview of the thermal control verification philosophy and test program of the systems are presented on a comparative basis.
- Publication:
-
ESA Special Publication
- Pub Date:
- December 1991
- Bibcode:
- 1991secs.conf..439T
- Keywords:
-
- Columbus Space Station;
- Hermes Manned Spaceplane;
- Man Tended Free Flyers;
- Proving;
- Temperature Control;
- Comparison;
- Performance Tests;
- Safety;
- Spacecraft Temperature;
- Spacecraft Design, Testing and Performance