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Keeping it cool in space.

Author(s) : FURNISS T.

Type of article: Article

Summary

To avoid large cryostats of liquid helium for cryogenic cooling of space observatory instruments which produce volume and mass problems for spacecraft, mechanical cryocoolers have been developed in the UK. These operate on a Stirling cycle principle using a linear motor driven helium compressor and a linear displacer unit. Early models achieved cooling to 80 K, but with two-stage design and an additional Joule-Thomson expansion 4 K has been reached. Design is now proceeding for a system cooling to 2.5 K. D.W.H.

Details

  • Original title: Keeping it cool in space.
  • Record ID : 1993-2393
  • Languages: English
  • Source: Prof. Eng. - vol. 6 - n. 2
  • Publication date: 1993/02
  • Document available for consultation in the library of the IIR headquarters only.

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