A Comparative Thermal Study of a GEO Satellite for Geostationary Transfer Orbit and Mission Orbit

Abstract

Thermal design of a GEO communication satellite is based on worst hot and cold cases on Geostationary Orbit (GEO). However, thermal analysis on transfer process is vital due to the harsh thermal conditions. The reasons of this harsh thermal conditions are frequent change of kinematics and varying operational conditions of the equipment along geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). Main goals of this study are to comprehend the thermal effects of GTO on the satellite, to ensure that the internal and external equipment temperatures stay in the limits and improving thermal design of a GEO satellite model with outcomes of the analysis. Thermal analysis results of the satellite in GEO is also used due to comparison purposes. Orbital information and thermal analysis scenarios in GEO and GTO are summarized in the study. The generation of orbital scenarios, kinematics and radiative couplings calculation are performed in Thermica. MSC Sinda is utilized as a numerical solver for obtaining temperature results and heater duty cycles.