Special Features of the CLUSTER Thermal Control Concept

CLUSTER is a scientific space mission envisaging an investigation of the Earth's plasma environment. The paper gives a brief overview of the CLUSTER mission and spacecraft configuration. Following the description of the general thermal design concept, some CLUSTER specific features are presented. These include amongst others a passive control concept based on a low emissive spacecraft interior, a hybrid heater control system applying thermostat control and guard thermistors and a dedicated thermal control design for the complex Reaction Control System.