• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.42 no.12
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• pp.1013-1019
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• 2014

Solid-liquid Phase Change Material(PCM) as a thermal control hardware for the electro-optical payload of low earth orbit satellite is numerically studied which can be substituted with Thermal Buffer Mass(TBM). The electro-optical module in LEO satellite is periodically work and high heat is dissipated during the imaging period, however, the design temperature range is very tight and sensitive. In order to handle this problem TBM is added and as a result the time constant of the module temperature increases. TBM is made of Al6010 and its mass directly affects the system design. To save the mass PCM is suggested in this study. The latent heat of melting or solidification is very high and small amount of PCM can play a role instead of TBM. The result shows that only 12% of TBM mass is enough to control the module temperature using PCM.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.44 no.10
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• pp.887-894
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• 2016

The thermal control device using solid-liquid phase change material (PCM) is designed, manufactured, and experimented in thermal environment chamber. The n-Hexadecane is selected as a PCM and its melting point is placed within the component working temperature range. The PCM container is made of Al6061 and has the thermal spreading fins inside. To simulate the working condition for on-orbit satellite the heat pipes are used to connect the heater and radiator and the PCM thermal control device (PCMTD) is installed at the middle portion of heat pipes. The thermal buffer mass (TBM), which is same configuration and volume with PCMTD, is also manufactured to compare the thermal control performance. As a result, the PCMTD is not only more efficient than TBM in their temperature control features but both mass and power of compensation heater are reduced.