Orbital replenishment of He II for SIRTF

✍ Scribed by T.C. Nast; D. Frank; C.K. Liu; R.T. Parmley

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1986
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 521 KB
• Volume: 26
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0011-2275
• DOI: 10.1016/0011-2275(86)90015-9

✦ Synopsis

This Paper presents results of a study of orbital replenishment of He II for application to the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF). Various transfer techniques and Iow-g fluid management devices are described, along with discussion of future technology requirements.

Keyword¢ He II; infrared telescope

Some spaceborne instruments now under study could realize substantial economic benefits for operation of 10 years or more in orbit It is unlikely that current and near future state-of-the-art cooling system technology could provide continual cooling for this length of time in the time frame envisioned for these instruments. One approach to achieving cryogenic operation for such durations with current cryogenic systems is to refill the cryogen tanks in orbit. Prime examples of these instruments are the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) and the Large Deployable Reflector (LDR).

The objective of the work was to study concepts for in-orbit replenishment of SIRTF and to develop approaches for change out of cryogenic instruments in orbit. This Paper describes the results of the cryogen replenishment phase of the study. Replenishment techniques are summarized in Figure .