Abstract The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Cryogenic Technology Research Facility (CTRF) is characterizing the performance of the Northrop Grumman Space Technology (NGST), previously TRW, 150 K mini pulse tube (MPT) cryocooler. This cooler was developed under the AFRL 150 K Protoflight Spacecraft Cryocooler (PSC) Program supported by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), then Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, (BMDO). Although this cooler has a smaller heat load capacity than other long-life space cryogenic coolers, it has been successfully used in a variety of scientific and military space applications providing cooling of focal planes, optics, and sensors for instruments such as SABER, CX, Hyperion, and the projected STSS Flight Demonstration System (FDS). This paper presents the results of characterization of one of the NGST 150 K MPT cryocoolers performed at AFRL Cryogenic laboratory. The thermodynamic performance of the cryocooler is described in terms of the performance envelope over a range of rejection temperatures and operating parameters to provide system designers and mission evaluators with specific knowledge on the capability of this cooler. Analytical relations among variables such as input power, heat load, cold end temperature and rejection temperature are examined.
Characterization of the NGST 150 K Mini Pulse Tube Cryocooler
Cryocoolers 13 ; 85-92
2005-01-01
8 pages
Article/Chapter (Book)
Electronic Resource
English
Characterization of the NGST 150 K Mini Pulse Tube Cryocooler
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