We have been developing a long-life mechanical cryocooler for space applications since 1991. We started with a “clean sheet of paper” with this cooler to customize the best current technology for space applications. The space requirements include reliability, power efficiency, mass, system compatibility, and the ability to withstand adverse environmental conditions. We have delivered an engineering model and a flight prototype under the current contract. Each unit was typically preceded by several breadboard versions used to explore alternate configurations. We are reporting in this paper on test data for the flight prototype cooler, delivered from Ball to the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) at the end of 1996. Verification tests on this cooler were performed at Ball. The performance tests were confirmed and expanded upon at GSFC, and the cooler is now in for a period of extended running to evaluate its long-term performance. We are building a version of this cooler for the High Resolution Dynamics Limb Sounder (HIRDLS) program.


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    Title :

    Functional and life test data for a two-stage stirling cycle mechanical cryocooler for space applications


    Contributors:
    Carrington, H. (author) / Gully, W. J. (author) / Kiehl, W. K. (author) / Banks, S. (author) / James, E. (author) / Castles, S. (author) / El-Genk, Mohamed S. (editor) / Bragg, Mary J. (editor)

    Conference:

    Space technology and applications international forum - 1998 ; 1998 ; Albuquerque,New Mexico (USA)


    Published in:

    AIP Conference Proceedings ; 420 , 1 ; 199-204


    Publication date :

    1998-01-15


    Size :

    6 pages





    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



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