METHOD OF SIMULATING EXTERNAL HEAT FLOWS FOR GROUND-BASED TESTING OF THERMAL MODE OF SMALL SPACE OBJECTS Russian patent published in 2024 - IPC B64G7/00 

FIELD: cosmonautics.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to ground-based thermal vacuum tests of small space objects (SSO). To simulate external heat flows, the SSO is installed in a thermal vacuum chamber with cryo-screens, and heat flow sensors are placed on the irradiated sides of the SSO. Simulator of external heat flows consisting of infrared ceramic heaters is installed on the irradiated sides of the SSO. Cryo-screens are evacuated and chilled to outer space temperature. SSO is exposed to external heat flows, simulating temperature modes of flight in orbit. Cryo-screens are warmed to normal temperature, thermal vacuum chamber is depressurized. Graphs of dependence of external heat flows on power of one of said heaters are plotted, as well as graphs of distribution of density of external heat fluxes on one of irradiated sides of SSO. Heaters with identical electrical characteristics are selected for the simulator of external heat flows. Further, according to the obtained graphs, the required capacities of the heaters are selected, which are further used to simulate external heat flows.

EFFECT: increased reliability of simulation of external heat flows, reduced time of ground development of thermal mode of SSO, saving of resources.

1 cl, 4 dwg