Research on nanosatellite thermal cycling test applicability

Abstract

In order to verify the spacecraft performance in extreme temperature and vacuum, and to screen spacecraft early defect, generally spacecraft TV (Thermal Vacuum) test should be carried out before launch. Designed in small size and with low cost, nanosatellite is made from a large number of COTS (Commercial off the shelf) components; therefore, the test should be low-cost, simple and quick. With the intention of screen out early defects of the product in lower cost, nanosatellite developers usually use TC (Thermal Cycling) test to partially replace the TV test because TV test is more expensive. However, due to the air convection, TC test is different from TV test in heat transfer characteristics, which may be over-test or short-test in TC test. This paper aims to explore the applicability of different nanosatellites in TC/TV test. Using rule number analysis method, Heat Transfer model in vacuum and ambient environment has been built to analyse the characteristics of heat transfer under different temperature and characteristic length, and to deliver the recommended limits on using TC test instead of the TV test. The CFD and test methods are applied to verify the rule number analysis above.