This enables IberEspacio to meet customer requests regarding the space qualification of its heat pipes for the European market.
Heat pipes are thermal transport passive devices used in satellites to transport heat from hot zones to the radiator with very high efficiency. The two-phase heat transfer mechanism (evaporation/condensation) results in heat transfer capacities from hundreds to several thousands times more than that of an equivalent piece of copper. Such efficiency results in a small temperature difference along the heat pipe, providing temperature stability and very high temperature uniformity.
Through ESA’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) 4 programme structure, IberEspacio performed a delta-qualification program with the AGHPs to demonstrate compliance with the requirements set by ESA.
Within the frame of the Delta Qualification Programme, IberEspacio made a complete specification of the heat pipes, then manufactured and tested a predefined set of AGHPs to verify compliance with performance and quality requirements. All AGHPs submitted were Constant Conductance Heat Pipes charged with high purity ammonia as working fluid. The AGHPs use longitudinal re-entrant grooves. The operational temperature range of the AGHPs was specified to be between –50ºC and +80ºC.
All tests performed during the test campaign were successful. For more information see the contact links listed in the right column of this page.
