The AMS Star Tracker Thermal Qualification Overview

Four different thermal-vacuum tests were performed on AMICA Star Tracker (AST) in the period March-July 2006 in the space simulator of the SERMS laboratory in Terni-Italy. Each of these tests was designed to verify different AST camera design features. The Thermal Balance test was conceived to validate the thermo-elastic model of the instrument and the active and passive thermal control subsystems. The Thermal Vacuum Cycling test was conceived to validate the AST electronics operative and survival temperature limits under vacuum conditions. The worst hot and cold operative and survival limits of the lens and filters in the AST optical system were assessed by means of the “Sun in the lens” and Lens Cold tests.