European Space Thermal Engineering Workshop 2026

Session

Thermal Testing

TT

7 Oct 2026, 11:30

Einstein, Newton (ESA/ESTEC)

Conveners

Thermal Testing

• Arturo González-Llana (ESA)

Thermal Testing

• Andreas Mussger (ESA)

Thermal Testing

• Miguel Copano (ESA)

43. K-CORE® RADIATOR PANELS TVAC TEST AND TMM CORRELATION: AN INNOVATIVE THERMAL CONTROL SOLUTION FOR HIGH POWER DENSITY CUBESATS

Mattia Benericetti (Argotec S.r.l.)

07/10/2026, 11:30

thermal testing

The HEliospheric pioNeer for sOlar and interplanetary threats defeNce (HENON) satellite is a 12U cubesat aimed at monitoring the Sun’s weather while orbiting around the Lagrangian point L2. In order to transmit almost real-time data back to Earth, the spacecraft requires a powerful yet compact communication suite, which comprises the satellite’s highest dissipating component. As a result, the...

39. Thermoplastic structures - modelling and testing

Mr Marcel Daniluk (Creotech Instruments), Ms Sylwia Ciorga (Creotech Instruments / Warsaw University of Technology)

07/10/2026, 12:00

thermal testing

Thermoplastic composite (TC) structures offer a promising alternative to conventional
aluminium spacecraft architectures by combining low mass, high specific stiffness, and
increased manufacturing flexibility. This paper presents the thermal characterization
and thermal vacuum (TVAC) validation of the TeSat to assess the applicability of LM￾PAEK thermoplastic composites for small...

80. Orbital thermal cycling as an excitation source for on-orbit non-destructive inspection: passive shearography for large space structures

Mr Nan Tao (TU Delft), Mr Matthijs van Heck (TU Delft), Mafalda Caramelo Assis (TU Delft)

07/10/2026, 12:30

thermal testing

On-orbit inspection of large space structures mostly relies on visual and video checks, which reveal only major visible damage. Subsurface damage such as micrometeoroid and orbital debris impacts, disbonds in thermal protection and solar-array stacks, and thermal-fatigue cracking stays hidden until it affects structural integrity. The ground-based NDT methods that could find this damage...

14. LISA Optical Metrology Subsystem Thermal Testing at CNES – Setup and Thermal Environment Characterization PART 1

Corentin Buti (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales - CNES)

08/10/2026, 09:00

thermal testing

LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) mission objective is to detect low frequency gravitational waves from space, opening a new era in astronomical science observations. Driven by ESA, the mission relies on strong partnerships with international agencies and scientific laboratories. The French instrument contribution to the LISA mission is managed by CNES with the support of French...

61. Frequency-Domain Correlation of a LISA Payload Thermal Model

Arthur Dunlop (ESA (ESTEC))

08/10/2026, 10:00

thermal analysis and software tools

The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission will detect gravitational waves through picometre-level interferometric measurements between three spacecraft separated by 2.5 million kilometres. Achieving the required sensitivity demands accurate prediction of the thermo-optic and thermo-elastic behaviour of the Payload Module. Within the Optical Bench Assembly (OBA), the Quadrant...

66. TVAC experimental verification of a temperature-induced excess noise subtraction methodology for sub-millihertz ultra-low-noise space magnetometers.

Pablo Cárdenas (Universidad de Cádiz)

08/10/2026, 10:30

thermal testing

In recent years, nanosatellites have enabled the testing and in-orbit validation of advanced instrumentation intended for larger space science missions. MELISA is a magnetic measurement payload designed to demonstrate the in-orbit performance of Anisotropic Magnetoresistance (AMR) sensors featuring dedicated noise reduction techniques at sub-milliHertz frequencies (0.1 mHz to 1 Hz). This...

21. Thermal test and correlation of SeRANIS Athene-1 small satellite

Mr Miguel Cruzat (OHB LuxSpace)

08/10/2026, 15:00

thermal testing

Athene-1 is the first small satellite of the University of the Bundeswehr Munich and is part of SeRANIS (Seamless Radio Access Networks for Internet of Space), a national space program funded to develop innovative space technologies and enhance satellite communication capabilities in Germany. The program establishes a new benchmark for national space capabilities by embracing New Space...

76. FORUM FEI: Thermo-Mechanical architecture and TVAC verification

Giammarco Claroni (Leonardo S.p.A.), Monica Mozzato (ALTEN Italia)

08/10/2026, 15:30

thermal design (for platforms, instruments etc.)

FORUM (Far-infrared Outgoing Radiation Understanding and Monitoring) is the ninth Earth Explorer mission selected by ESA. This mission aims to measure infrared radiation emitted from Earth across the entire far-infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum, improving the understanding of the greenhouse effect and enhancing the accuracy of climate change assessments.
The FEI instrument...