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Two mechanically pumped two-phase test rigs were built at NLR in order to experimentally study critical issues of spacecraft two-phase thermal management systems: a 5 kW, 31 mm ID, freon loop, focusing on the critical components of the ESA Two-Phase Heat Transport System. a 300 W, 4.93 mm ID, ammonia loop, to support the development of the ESA Capillary Pumped Loop Experiment (for the in-orbit demonstration of two-phase heat transport system technology) and to experimentally support two-phase thermal modelling and scaling activities. The rigs are described in detail. Typical test results are presented.

The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer AMS-2 is planned for a five years mission as attached payload on ISS, the International Space Station. It is an international experiment searching for anti-matter, dark matter, and missing matter. AMS-2, an improved version of AMS-1 flown on STS 91, consists of various particle detector systems, one of these being the (Silicon) Tracker. The trade-off based choice and the experimental feasibility demonstration of a mechanically pumped two-phase CO2 cooling loop for the Tracker is discussed in detail. The current status and ongoing and planned development activities are discussed.