INSPECTOR Thermal Control

Daimler-Benz Aerospace of Germany and RSC-Energia of Russia have commonly developed a small inspection spacecraft. The objective of this vehicle is to provide support to Cosmonauts/Astronauts for external activities to limit human Extravehicular Activities (EVA) with its high costs and risks. The first experimental space vehicle INSPECTOR is planned to have a demonstration mission by the end of 1997, dedicated to the observation and inspection of the MIR space station and a PROGRESS cargo vehicle. The paper describes the thermal analysis and concept development as well as the thermal hardware and test activities for the INSPECTOR system.