The Infrared Astronomical Satellite is an Explorer Mission and a joint venture of the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States scheduled for launch into Earth orbit in 1981. The cryogenic system is a major part of the satellite; it incorporated many unique and state-of-the-art-design features to satisfy the requirements of a one-year orbital lifetime, a focal plane temperature less than 4 K, minimal launch weight, and zero-gravity operation. The 60-centimeter diameter telescope is contained within a superfluid helium dewar having a capacity of 540 liters. The telescope aperture cover employs an independent cryogenic system containing a 54-liter supercritical helium tank. The aperture cover, which is ejected two weeks after launch, protects the telescope from contamination and provides the low-temperature background needed to perform focal plane health checks. Design and predicted performance of the cryogenic systems are discussed in detail. (Peters)
Design of a one-year lifetime, spaceborne superfluid helium dewar
Bau eines Raumfahrt-Dewargefaesses fuer suprafluessiges Helium, mit einer Lebensdauer von einem Jahr.
ASME-Papers ; 1-11
1979
11 Seiten, 13 Bilder, 1 Tabelle, 3 Quellen
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch
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