COM2PLEX - A Combined European LHP Experiment on SPACEHAB/QUEST

The Combined 2 Phase Loop Experiment (COM2PLEX) is a SPACEHAB rooftop test facility to investigate the 0-g behavior of three different capillary-pumped loops. A flawless operation of these devices under actual space environment is an essential precondition for successful applications of this technology in future space projects. Four European companies have developed COM2PLEX in a co-operative effort under contract to ESA/ESTEC. All capillary pumped loops are of the Loop-Heat-Pipe type. The hardware shall be flown on STS 107, scheduled for launch in March 2001. At the time of writing this paper all loops are in manufacturing or under acceptance testing.