The SWIR(Short Wave-length Infrared Radiometer) is one of the optical sensors in ASTER(Advanced Space-borne
Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer). ASTER is installed in the EOS(Earth Observing System) TERRA
spacecraft of NASA. TERRA was launched on December18, 1999, and is employed still on the orbit for 14 years in
January, 2014, The detector of SWIR is cooled at temperature 77K by cryocooler with the optimum sensitivity. SWIR
had continued to take the numerous image data for more than five years of the mission period on orbit, and the
cryocooler is still operating normally. However, a gradual rise in temperature of the detector has been seen after launch.
Silicone compound have been used in order to achieve heat transfer between the detector and the cryocooler. On
investigation, we have found that thermal conductivity of the silicone compound has been gradually reduced. We
evaluated the low temperature properties (such as thermal conductivity, strength etc.) of the silicone compound. In
addition, we analyzed the temperature conditions and the thermal stress values of cryostat in the orbit. As a result, the
silicone compound solidified at low temperature shows a behavior similar to adhesive. Depending on the thermal stress
generated at a low temperature, there is a possibility that destruction such as peeling occurs.
KEYWORDS: Cryocoolers, Short wave infrared radiation, Sensors, Temperature metrology, Radiometry, Thermography, Infrared radiation, Position sensors, Space operations, Data acquisition
The advanced spaceborne thermal emission and reflection radiometer (ASTER) was developed by the MInistry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) for installation in the EOS-AM1 spacecraft. The ASTER consists of a visible and near-infrared radiometer (VNIR), a short-wave infrared radiometer (SWIR) and a thermal infrared radiometer (TIR). Two cryocoolers are required to cool the infrared detectors for the SWIR and TIR subsystems. Two cryocoolers have been operating in orbit for over 22000 hours. The temperature of each detector was stabilized in the allowable temperature range. Long-term data have been acquired on the cooling performance and power consumption under normal operation for each cryocooler, the following are described; outline of ground test results and performance of the ASTER cryocooler in orbit for over 22000 hours.
KEYWORDS: Cryocoolers, Short wave infrared radiation, Sensors, Radiometry, Temperature metrology, Thermography, Infrared radiation, Space operations, Data acquisition, Image analysis
12 The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection radiometer (ASTER) was one of the mission instruments selected by NASA to fly on the EOS-AM1 spacecraft. The EOS- AM1 (Terra) spacecraft was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, December 18, 1999. The ASTER consists of a visible and near-infrared radiometer (VNIR), a short-wave infrared radiometer (SWIR) and a thermal infrared radiometer (TIR). Two cryocoolers are required to cool down the infrared detectors for the SWIR and the TIR. Two cold plates act as a heatsink for each compressor unit and maintain in temperature in the range between 20 degree(s)C and 25 degree(s)C by a capillary-pump heat-transfer system (CPHTS). Therefore, environmental temperature conditions are the same for the two compressor units. While the TIR expander unit is thermal controlled by a local radiator with a heat pipe, the SWIR expander unit employs radiative cooling for thermal control. The performance of ASTER cryocooler was evaluation to operate normally, based on the data obtained in the functional checkout in orbit. The SWIR cryocooler cools the detector to the operating temperature of 77 K in the cooldown time of 22 minutes. The TIR cryocooler cools the detector to the operating temperature of 80 K in the cooldown time of 23 minutes. The temperature of each detector was stabilized in the allowable temperature range. A clear image was obtained in the initial checkout of each radiometer in their observation mode.
The advanced spaceborne thermal emission and reflection radiometer (ASTER) is a facility instrument which has been selected by NASA to fly on the EOS-AM1 platform in 1998. Two independent cryocoolers are needed to cool down infrared detectors for the short-wave infrared radiometer (SWIR; 1.6 - 2.4 micrometer) and the thermal infrared radiometer (TIR; 8.3 - 11.3 micrometer). The goal in the development of the ASTER cryocooler is a durability of over 50,000 hours and mechanical vibration forces below 0.1 N in the frequency range from 40 Hz to 135 Hz in the directions of all three axes. A split- Stirling cycle cryocooler with clearance seals and linear electric motors is employed for this purpose. The compressor design for this adopts a piston driving mechanism which has a twin-opposed piston configuration, into one compression space. The mechanical vibration caused by an expander displacer is reduced by an active balancer. The cryocoolers for SWIR and TIR have a cooling capacity of 1.2 W at 70 K with power consumption lower than 55 W without control electronics. Two cryocoolers were evaluated from the viewpoint of cooling performance and mechanical vibration forces, and are presently undergoing life tests. The design concept and cryocooler performance test results which are indispensable for enduring a long life in space are described.
The advanced spaceborne thermal emission and reflection radiometer (ASTER) is an instrument which was selected by NASA to fly on the EOS-AM1 platform in 1998. Two cryocoolers are required to cool infrared detectors for the short-wave infrared radiometer (SWIR) and thermal infrared radiometer (TIR). The mission lifetime of the EOS-AM1 platform is expected to be 5 years, and accordingly, an operation lifetime more than 5 years is required for ASTER cryocoolers. The goals in the development of the ASTER cryocoolers are realization of a operation lifetime of over 50,000 hours and mechanical vibration forces below 0.1 N in the frequency range from 40 Hz to 135 Hz in the driection of all three axes. A split- Stirling cycle cryocoolers with clearance seals and linear motors is employed for this purpose. The compressor design adopts a piston driving mechanism which has a twin-opposed piston configuration in one compression space. The mechanical vibration caused by a displacer in the expander unit is reduced by an active balancer. Cryocoolers for SWIR and TIR have cooling capacity of 1.2 W at 70 K with power consumption lower than 55 W without control electronics. Several engineering models (EM) have been fabricated and are presently undergoing performance and life tests. Results of cryocooler verification tests and effects of jitter of mechanical vibration on the ASTER instrument are described.
A long life spaceborne Stirling cycle cryocooler named 'LS-5A' has been developed for use to cool the detector mounted on the Short Wavelength Infrared Radiometer (SWIR) of the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER). The cryocooler is applied Stirling cycle, supplies 1.2 watt cooling at the cooling temperature of 70 K, and consist of a twin-opposed piston compressor unit and a expander unit balanced by an active balancer to minimize the self-induced vibration. In order to accomplish 5 years of continuous operation in orbit, the cryocooler has noncontact clearance seals for pistons supported by suspension springs to avoid the wear of seal materials. Cooling performances and self-induced vibration levels were evaluated, and a life test cryocooler has been running for 7300 hours without any performance degradation.
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