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Verification of the Integrated Overall Thermal Mathematical Model (IOTMM) is one of the last tasks in the thermal and environmental control area of the Columbus module. For this purpose a specific test covering as well thermal-hydraulic performance tests as Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLS) cabin temperature control functions has been defined and performed on the european Columbus Protoflight Model (PFM) in Bremen in 2003. This Environmental Control System test was successful for all Active Thermal Control System (ATCS) related thermal-hydraulic functions and could provide sufficient data for a proper IOTMM correlation. However, it failed to verify the ECLS related functions as cabin temperature control and ventilation. Data, which have been generated during this first test, could not be used for a successful IOTMM correlation related to ECLS subsystem performance and modelling.

The ESTEC calorimeter was designed for heat transfer measurements on blankets of multi layered insulation (MLI). This work comprises a Finite Element thermal model based on the computer code ANSYS which is used for an interpretation of the experimental data gained during the 35 years of measurement. A parameter study of various test setup parameters was performed to find possible improvements for future calorimeter designs. Similar blanket lay-ups were used to test the influence of number of layers and material parameters on the analysis results. The influence of residual gas conduction in the MLI blankets was further studied and included in the numerical model. The results of the study form the basis of a further improvement of the measurement accuracy and of possible design improvements.