On Orbit Performance of Cryogenic Radiant Cooler of Meteorological Payload of INSAT-3A Spacecraft During First Five Years
D. W. Tijarea, B. S. Akkimaradib, S. V. Huilgolc, A. K. Shrivastavad, Dinesh Kumare, Madhu Prasadf, S. C. Rastogig and K. Badarinarayanah
Thermal Systems Group, ISRO Satellite Centre, ISRO, Bangalore 560 017, India.
atijare@isac.gov.in
bbasu@isac.gov.in
cshri@isac.gov.in
dalok@isac.gov.in
edkumar@isac.gov.in
fpramad@isac.gov.in
grastogi@isac.gov.in
hkbn@isac.gov.in
ABSTRACT
A cryogenic passive radiant cooler is used for meteorological payload called Very High Resolution Radiometer (VHRR) of INSAT-3A spacecraft built by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This cooler is designed to cool detectors of infrared channels –Water Vapour (WV) and Thermal Infrared (TIR). The total dissipation of these detectors is of the order of 2.5 mW and detectors are to be maintained at cryogenic temperature levels (100 K-120K). Three stage radiant cooler for this application, was developed at ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore. INSAT-3A spacecraft was launched on 10 April 2003. Cooler on orbit performance is extremely satisfactory. Prior to launch, this cooler had gone through various qualification tests and thermal balance test to correct and update the thermal mathematical model (TMM) of the cooler. On orbit temperature predictions of cooler were obtained using TMM. INSAT-3A has completed 5years in orbit out of 15 years of mission life. This paper discusses design of three stage radiant cooler, its on orbit performance and comparison with predictions based on the TMM.
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