TITLE:
Thermal Modelling of a Remote Sensing Satellite Panel in an Inclined Orbit
AUTHORS:
Ahmed Farag
KEYWORDS:
Thermal, Satellite, Heaters, Insulation, Radiator, Multi-Layer Insulation
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Energy Efficiency,
Vol.10 No.1,
March
25,
2021
ABSTRACT: Satellites consist of different subsystems; one of them is the thermal control subsystem (TCS), which warranties the specified temperature settings of other subsystems and devices through satellite lifetime. Satellite Thermal modelling is performed by solving thermal budget equation, taking into consideration maximum and minimum external fluxes, and heat rejection from internal devices which fixed on the internal surface of the panel. To reach the optimum design for the thermal control of the panel (radiation surface areas and power of the electric heaters), the thermal analysis results should meet the design requirements, and the temperature ranges of each device or subsystem inside the satellite. Multilayer Insulation (MLI) is one of the most important passive elements of thermal control subsystem covered the satellite as a blanket consists of some layers from thin pressed Mylar or Kapton sheets. MLI is important to minimize the heat exchange between the inside (devices heat dissipation), and outside satellite (external heat fluxes). A parametric investigation is presented for an inclined satellite in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at 650 km altitude, to study MLI covering area effect on panel thermal control design. Satellite thermal analysis is performed by Thermal desktop/SINDA FLUINT Software by decreasing and increasing MLI on the outer surfaces of the satellite, to ensure that the satellite electrical equipment temperatures maintained in the required ranges for normal operation.