Optimization method of the thermal control index of space remote sensors based on force-thermal coupling algorithm

Abstract

To ensure the successful completion of space observation tasks, the temperatures of optical remote sensors must be maintained within appropriate ranges using thermal control systems to avoid the influence of the space thermal environment on imaging performance. In engineering, an appropriate temperature range must be accurately predicted for a remote sensor in orbit through a reasonable thermal control index to guide the design and optimization of the thermal control system. This study analyzes the environmental differences between systems in space and on Earth, calculates the temperature requirements of the imaging performance index as a constraint, investigates the coupling influence mechanism of gravity release and temperature change on system imaging performance, and proposes a method to optimize the thermal control index of a remote sensor. The proposed method can optimize the thermal control design to obtain sufficient imaging performance in orbit, reduce the thermal control power consumption by approximately 20%, and shorten the development cycle; it is also suitable for various types of remote sensors. This study verifies the rationality of the method through a combination of an orbital thermal simulation and a thermal vacuum test.