Abstract The INTERnational Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory (INTEGRAL) is an ESA satellite that was launched on October 17, 2002. One of the payloads is a Spectrometer (20 keV-8 MeV energy range, 2.5 m high, 1.1m dia., around 1300 kg). It was supplied by CNES who managed, developed, assembled, and tested the instrument before delivery to ESA for satellite-level activities. This instrument uses a detection plane containing 19 Germanium detectors that need to be cooled to 85 K during observation and periodically annealed up to 379 K (106°C) to recover energy resolution. The 25 kg cold stage operational temperature is achieved by four 50–80 K EADS-Astrium Stirling coolers, while a passive radiator provides (through a heat pipe connection) a 210 K housing around the detectors. This intermediate stage results in a reduction of cryocooler heat loads, and provides a cold and stable temperature for the preamplifiers. The housing can be configured to be vacuum-tight for ground testing, while it is open in the launch/space configuration. This paper briefly reviews the flight model design of this double-stage cryostat and the main results from thermal vacuum testing at the satellite level. The excellent in-flight performance is then described together with data on the contamination-decontamination process that has been observed with the cold parts. Cryostat operability and lessons learned from the development and 1.5 years of in-flight data are also discussed.


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    Title :

    INTEGRAL Spectrometer Cryostat Design and Performance after 1.5 Years in Orbit


    Contributors:
    Briet, R. (author) / Serene, F. (author)

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2005-01-01


    Size :

    10 pages




    Type of media :

    Article/Chapter (Book)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




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