METHOD OF CONTROL OF PROCESS OF SIMULATION OF SOLAR ILLUMINATION OF SPACECRAFT BY INFRA-RED RADIATORS AND SYSTEM FOR REALIZATION OF THIS METHOD Russian patent published in 2002 - IPC

FIELD: ground development of space objects, thermo-vacuum tests in particular. SUBSTANCE: proposed method includes placing the object in vacuum chamber and exposing it to infra-red radiation. Thermal flux from radiators is measured at points where sensors are mounted. Sensors are preliminarily calibrated by means of optical Sun simulator. Then, magnitude of measured thermal flux is compared with magnitude of radiation of said simulator. In case these magnitudes are different, flux from infra-red radiators shall be regulated. Proposed system includes vacuum chamber with cryogenic shields, infra-red radiators, calibrated thermal flux sensors, comparison units and infra-red radiator power control units and flux setter. Outputs of sensors and setter are connected with comparison unit and output of comparison unit is connected with said control unit. EFFECT: enhanced reliability of tests at retained simplicity and low cost. 3 cl, 1 dwg