Investigations on the thermal condition of the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station during the maneuver of locking solar arrays

Abstract

The maneuvers of the solar arrays on the International Space Station (ISS) have significant effects on the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) thermal environment. In this paper, two research methods to investigate the dependence of the thermal environment on different solar β angle are given. The temperature data recorded since May 19, 2011 are used to analyze the impact of the ISS maneuver of locking solar arrays on the AMS temperatures, and the temperature variations at different AMS components are studied. We find that the extent of the temperature changes after locking solar arrays is affected by the different β intervals. We also summarize the β intervals where temperature warnings are likely after locking the solar arrays. The results can be referred to during the AMS operations.