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Cryogenic Activities in the ESA Technology Research Programme - Past,Present and Future
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English
Abstract
Since 1975 ESA's TRP activities in the cryogenic domain have been steadily increasing. Before 1986 most of these activities were directed towards the development of cryogen technology. CRHESUS (CRyostat a HElium Superfluide pour Utilisation Spatiale) was a programme which helped develop superfluid helium technology within Europe. Since 1986 however a major step forward has been made in cryocooler technology, with an 80K cooler developed under TRP funding being recognised as the first viable space cryocooler. It is presently being sold by BAe (UK) as a commercial product. While keeping the basic design these cryocoolers are continuing to be developed down to lower temperatures. Coolers at 20K, 4K and 2.5K exist with 0.1K foreseen. Other cryogenic activities are discussed in the paper and the overall logic and direction of ESA's cryogenic TRP developments explained.
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Jewell, C., "Cryogenic Activities in the ESA Technology Research Programme - Past,Present and Future," SAE Technical Paper 941273, 1994, https://doi.org/10.4271/941273.Also In
References
- ESA Final Report 1983
- Jewell C. “An overview of ESA cryocooler activities” Proc. 4th European Symposium on Space Environmental and Control Systems December 1991
- “Development of an Engineering Model 80K closed cycle cooler” ESA Final Report CR(P) 3410 1992
- “Optimisation of a BAe 80K cooler for improved heat lift and efficiency” ESA Final Report CR(P) 3554 1992
- “Reduction of cooler vibration” ESA Final Report CR(P) 3632 1993
- “A 4K Mechanical cooler for space applications” ESA Final Report CR(P) 3243 1991
- “Study on very low temperature cryogenic cooling” ESA Final Report CR(P) 3139 1990
- “Development of a gas gap heat switch” ESA Final Report CR(P) 3694 1993
- The ESA Technological Research and Development Programme 1994 1996 November 1993