A new improved solution to thermal network problem in heat-transfer analysis of spacecraft

Abstract

A new improved solution, Detached Variables-Parameters Coefficient (DVPC) method and Monte Carlo Ray Tracing (MCRT) method, is proposed to solve a thermal network problem in heat-transfer analysis of spacecraft. DVPC method emphasized directly on correcting the key Solar Absorption Coefficient (SAC) material parameter rather than the network conduction and radiation coefficients generally. MCRT method is contributed to reducing computation assumption and clarifying physical concepts and used to solve solar direct incidence area and network radiation transfer coefficient with different round circular angles and zenith angles of solar incidence radiation. Numerical simulation is carried out for temperature distribution of satellite. In steady stage, maximum temperature difference reaches up to 200 K and increasing the radio of absorptivity to emissivity will lead to temperature rise rapidly. In unsteady stage, maximum temperature value of satellite main body is lager than that of solar array. To begin with, cooling velocity increased rapidly and got to maximum value, then descended slowly and reached up to steady stage with 17 K discrepancy. Meanwhile, increasing SAC is better than that of decreasing to true value.