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Feasibility and preliminary phases of space projects are aimed to answer to the very fundamental question whether a spacecraft (S/C) exists that can fulfil the mission objectives. In particular the thermal engineers must assess whether a possible configuration is feasible from the thermal point of view, or what modifications could make it suitable. The paper presents the Thermal Concept Design Tool (TCDT), a new software tool under development at Blue Engineering and Alenia Spazio for the European Space Agency (ESA), designed with the objective to assist the thermal engineers in reducing at minimum the effort required by simulation activities and focusing mainly on conceptual activities during feasibility and preliminary studies.

The first ATV Flight Unit Jules Verne will be subjected to a Thermal Vacuum Test during 2006. The paper describes the large Test Prediction campaign performed by ALCATEL ALENIA SPACE (AAS) with the ATV Integrated Overall Thermal Mathematical Model (IOTMM) developed by AAS, considering the reference inputs data provided by EADS-ST. The prediction results will be used to adjust and validate the final test procedure with regard to the sequence of operations and set-points to be applied during the TV Test. The ATV Jules Verne TV test will be performed at ESA-ESTEC LSS vacuum test chamber.

The Russian Equipment Control System (RECS) is a part of the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), mounted on the Integrated Cargo Carrier (ICC) and shall serve to control the Russian Docking System (RDS), the Russian Refueling System (RFS), as well as to enable power supply and ATV avionics control from the ISS Service Module (SM). The RECS equipment are able to provide electrical and functional interfaces between ATV avionics and RDS in free flight, at docking / de-docking from ISS and with ISS Service Module and RFS in attached phase. The RECS for ATV-ICC use is developed in the framework of a Contract between ALCATEL ALENIA SPACE - ITALIA and RSC-ENERGIA. The RECS instrumentation has been redesigned including both components borrowed from other projects (Soyuz, Progress) and newly developed components, designed to satisfy the thermal requirements applicable to RECS operation within ATV project.