ITDS-A Program for Interactive Design and Analysis of Advanced Active Thermal Control Systems

The Interactive Thermal Design System (ITDS) is a new computer program developed specifically to support design and analysis of advanced spacecraft Active Thermal Control Subsystems (ATCSs). The program was developed for NASA/JSC during 1985 and 1986 to provide design and analytical support needed for projects such as the Space Station and space platforms.

ITDS uses modern computing techniques, VAX computing machinery, and commercial database and graphics software to greatly improve the productivity of design and analytical efforts. The program uses interactive menus to control technical and supporting functions combined with graphical system representation to streamline the design and analysis process.

The ITDS library of single and two-phase ATCS routines accommodates design and analysis of single components or integrated systems. Supporting utilities provide units conversion, easily selected and accessed fluid property data for twenty ATCS fluids, and help data to assist the user with program functions.

This paper describes the development of ITDS, the features it offers and examples of how it may be employed.