ABSTRACT

The ground testing of satellites requires the validation of the satellite’s thermal model whilst operational in vacuum. Thermocouples are widely used for this testing, but they are only able to provide a point temperature measurement. In contrast a vacuum capable, metrological thermal imager could be used to measure the temperature across a large surface area with high spatial resolution. Such a system will also have increased utility compared to a thermal imager operated within a canister if it is a low size, weight and power (SWaP) device that can be easily mounted. The ESA General Support and Technology Programme has enabled the National Physical Laboratory to develop a vacuum capable, low SWaP thermal imager that can provide traceable, calibrated temperature measurement in thermal vacuum from −40°C to 60°C. The calculated instrument calibration uncertainty is less than ± 0.85°C (k = 2).

摘要

卫星的地面测试需要验证卫星在真空中运行时的热模型。热电偶广泛用于此测试，但它们只能提供点温度测量。相比之下，真空计量热成像仪可用于以高空间分辨率测量大表面积的温度。如果这种系统是尺寸小、重量轻、功耗低且易于安装的设备，那么与在罐内操作的热成像仪相比，这种系统的实用性也将增加。欧洲航天局的一般支持和技术计划使国家物理实验室能够开发出一种能够真空工作的低 SWaP 热成像仪，可以在 -40°C 至 60°C 的热真空中提供可追踪、校准的温度测量。k = 2）。