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This paper describes the thermal vacuum (TVAC) through conductance test and model correlation results performed on the protoflight Mobile Satellite (MSAT®) L-Band Transmit (Tx) feed assembly. Very good correlation was obtained between the model and the measured results. Specifically, the correlated average temperatures for the feed array components, were all within +/- 5°C of the measured test results for all three (3) plateaus. Similar results were also obtained at 10 feed panel locations for each component. In addition, the differences in temperature gradients through the feed assembly from the cup walls to the Beam Forming Network (BFN), comparing the modelled and measured results, were less than 3°C for all three plateaus. The correlation results for the Tx feed assembly were subsequently used to update the spacecraft (S/C) L-Band antenna model.

Radarsat is a Canadian remote sensing satellite designed to gather earth resource data from a low earth orbit. The spacecraft consists of four major entities: the payload module, the bus module, the SAR antenna and the solar arrays. The main features of each subsystem's thermal design are presented, emphasizing the different design challenges encountered in maintaining all components within acceptable limits so that all performance requirements are met. Special reference is given to the difficulties experienced in accommodating the Antarctic coverage.