Thermal Controls

Thermal controls are an important part of a satellite because space is very cold, but running a lot of electronic equipment in a small space can get very hot. The thermal blanket, or multi-layer insulation (MLI), protects the bus from space, preventing heat loss. MLI is a light-weight material made of fabric, plastic, and thin coats of metal, which together provide protection from thermal radiation.

There is also insulation within the satellite, as well as special thermal coating on pipes, etc. This is known as the Passive Thermal Control System (PTCS). The Active Thermal Control System (ATCS) is a network of radiators, which you can think of like radiators in a car that work to keep your engine cool. These radiators are connected by ducts with ammonia flowing through them. Ammonia is good at transferring heat, first running through the ducts by the hot electronic equipment to take up some of their heat, then flowing outward by the radiator panels to release the heat into space.

Next


Parts of a Satellite | Maneuvering | Power Supply | Thermal Controls | Communications Devices | OCO-2 and ASCENDS | NASA Missions