Speaker
Description
This mission represents the 6U satellite for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) developed by TRL Space Systems, targeting the role of Czech satellite system integrator. The satellite is equipped with two key payloads, including a hyperspectral camera capable of acquiring high-quality imagery across up to 32 spectral bands and Data Processing Unit (DPU) running onboard image processing algorithms. These subsystems, together with other critical components, impose significant demands on the satellite's thermal design.
This contribution presents the thermal engineering approach adopted for the 6U cubesat mission, utilizing the Systema Thermica software for detailed thermal modelling and analysis. The design process considered various operational modes, including nominal, transmission, imaging, processing and safe mode, each associated with different power dissipation on components. The thermal control strategy is based primarily on passive thermal design principles, optimized through careful component placement and surface properties [1], complemented by active thermal control applied to the battery unit via heaters to ensure its operational temperature range during eclipse periods and early mission phases [2]. Special focus is given to the thermal management of the hyperspectral camera and the DPU, whose temperature stability is essential for ensuring image quality and system performance.
Acknowledgement
This publication was supported by the project "The Energy Conversion and Storage", funded as project No. CZ.02.01.01/00/22_008/0004617 by Programme Johannes Amos Comenius, call Excellent Research.
References
[1] S. Tachikawa, H. Nagano, A. Ohnishi, and Y. Nagasaka, “Advanced Passive Thermal Control Materials and Devices for Spacecraft: A Review”, International Journal of Thermophysics, vol. 43, no. 6, 2022, doi: 10.1007/s10765-022-03010-3.
[2] Y. -G. Lv, Y. -T. Wang, T. Meng, Q. -W. Wang, and W. -X. Chu, “Review on thermal management technologies for electronics in spacecraft environment”, Energy Storage and Saving, vol. 3, no. 3, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.enss.2024.03.001.
