Orbiting Astronomical Observatory heat pipe flight performance data

Harwell, W.; Edelstein, F.; Mcintosh, R.; Ollendorf, S.

doi:10.2514/6.1973-758

Cited by 10 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 4 publications

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“…5 Small thermal gradients in optical surfaces can result in dramatic variations in the wavefront quality and pointing accuracy of the optical element. These thermal gradients can and have been successfully controlled through the use of heat pipes, such as those used on the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory 6 launched in the early 1970s. In this type of application, heat pipes are utilized to maintain the optical surface at a constant temperature and hence improve the optical quality.…”

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Review of cryogenic heat pipes in spacecraft applications

Peterson

Compagna

1987

Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets

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W ITHIN three years after the first technical article on heat pipes, 1 the results of an experimental investigation that used nitrogen heat pipes to control the temperature of an infrared detector were published. 2 Since that time, the use of cryogenic heat pipes has increased steadily. Most of the investigations involving low-temperature heat pipes have been focused either on space applications involving the cooling and thermal control of optical surfaces 3 or infrared scanning systems, 4 or on the thermal control of large superconducting magnets. 5 Small thermal gradients in optical surfaces can result in dramatic variations in the wavefront quality and pointing accuracy of the optical element. These thermal gradients can and have been successfully controlled through the use of heat pipes, such as those used on the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory 6 launched in the early 1970s. In this type of application, heat pipes are utilized to maintain the optical surface at a constant temperature and hence improve the optical quality. In satellite infrared scanning systems, heat pipes are used not only to eliminate temperature variation but also to remove heat from both the infrared detectors and the aperture shroud. These devices must be cooled to a temperature ranging from 5 to 120 K. In the detector, this low temperature provides greater resolution, while in the aperture shroud it helps eliminate background radiation or "thermal noise." These two applications along with others such as electronic cooling have resulted in a renewed interest in the operation and use of cryogenic heat pipes for thermal control, 7 ' 8 particular in zeroor reduced-gravity environments.

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