“Foton-M” Spacecraft Thermal Conditions.

Paper number

IAC-06-A2.2.03

Author

Prof. Nickolay N. Smirnov, Moscow Lomonosov State University, Russia

Coauthor

Dr. Oleg Ivashnyov, Moscow Lomonosov State University, Russia

Coauthor

Mrs. Anfisa E. Kazakova, Central Specialised Design Bureau of, Russia

Coauthor

Mrs. Valentina Nerchenko, Moscow Lomonosov State University, Russia

Year

2006

Abstract

The previous flights of Foton satellites allowed to carry out research in the following domains: effect of space flight and outer space factors such as microgravity, artificial gravity and space radiation on physical processes and biological organisms. Experts from many Russian and foreign scientific institutions participated in the research. It was proved that proper thermal conditions are the necessary requirement for carrying out many experiments. Now the control system provides the average temperature interval within the capsule from +10 C up to +30 C. The reason of such a wide range is an essentially non-uniform heat release from different pieces of equipment incorporated in the capsule.
The goal of the present investigation was determining thermal fields established inside the scientific module of the spacecraft Foton-M and to perform optimization studies, which could meet strong requirements for temperature range allowable for operation of definite pieces of equipment, especially equipment designed for biotechnological experiments. 
To make thermal fields more uniform within the module special fans are used to facilitate convective heat exchange. Some extra heat is removed from the capsule with the help of special gas-liquid cooler. Extra heat generated by scientific equipment is absorbed by the gas filling the capsule and transported by convective flows to the gas-liquid heat exchanger, which absorbs the heat and transfers it to the outer section, which radiates heat into the outer space. The rate of cooling is controlled by the flow rate of heat carrying fluid.
The goal of the project was to develop a mathematical model of the convective heat exchange process inside the capsule filled in with scientific equipment and perform optimization studies. The gravitational convection was not essential due to its low velocities under small mean temperature gradients present in the capsule, and relatively high convective velocities induced by fans. Being unable to resolve all the equipment and connecting cables in its detailed composition, and in order to avoid difficulties with boundary conditions needed on all impermeable boundaries we developed the concept of quasi-permeable medium, which was implemented to perform numerical simulations of convective flows inside the module. The balance between heat sources and sinks allowed to determine the qusi-steady temperature field inside the capsule.
The present investigation was supported by the contract of Russian Space Agency and by the grant of the President of Russian Federation (19.2003.1).

Abstract document

IAC-06-A2.2.03.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-A2.2.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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