Technical Paper
Eureca Thermal Control Design and Performance
1990-07-01
901366
EURECA (EUropean REtrievable CArrier) has been designed as a multi-purpose carrier with a dedicated payload for different experiments (microgravity, astronomy, earth observation, solar physics and technology mission application) to be used during several missions. The EURECA Thermal Control design is subdivided in an “active” thermal control and a “passive” thermal control. The active thermal control is based on a Freon Fluid Loop composed of By-Pass valve, Cold Plates, Radiators and its scope is to guarantee a limited temperature range excursion for some P/L equipments and particular spacecraft units (e.g. Batteries). The passive thermal control composed of MLI blankets and MLI radiators, TCU (Thermal Control Unit), heaters, paints and tapes is instead devoted to maintain the temperature level of the overall carrier components within an acceptable value. Special attention was dedicated to the Hydrazine lines, tanks and thrusters to fulfil the stringent STS safety requirements.