This paper presents a description of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Near Infrared Camera and Multi Object Spectrometer (NICMOS) Cooling System (NCS), the cutting edge technology involved, a comparison of predicted versus on-orbit thermal performance, as well as possible future space applications. The NCS hardware consists of the NICMOS Cryogenic Cooler (NCC), an Electronics Support Module (ESM), a Capillary Pumped Loop (CPL)/Radiator assembly, and associated interface harnessing. The NCC is a state-of-the-art reverse Turbo-Brayton cycle mechanical cooler employing micro turbo machinery, driven by advanced power conversion electronics, operating at speeds up to 450,000 revolutions per minute to remove heat from the NICMOS instrument. The ESM provides command, control, and power distribution to the NCS, as well as providing the primary interface to the existing HST electronics. A two-phase CPL system removes heat from the NCC and transfers it to the radiator mounted externally on the HST aft shroud. The system was installed during Servicing Mission 3B via extravehicular activities in March 2002. The NCS revived the NICMOS instrument, which experienced a reduced operational lifetime due to an internal thermal short in its dewar structure, and restored HST scientific infrared capability to operational status.
NASA is developing the NICMOS Cooling System (NCS) for deployment during Servicing Mission 3 of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in late 1999. The NCS is intended to provide mechanical cryocooling for the near IR camera and multi- object spectrometer (NICMOS) instrument that was installed during servicing mission 2 in February 1997. The NICMOS with NCS can potentially continue the near-IR capability of HST through the currently scheduled end-of-mission in 2010. The NCS hardware is currently in final integration and will soon start a series of rigorous ground and flight test that will prepare it for installation in the HST.
Servicing the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) requires the safe transportation of electronic Orbital Replacement Units (ORUs) on the Space Transportation System (STS) to replace or enhance the capability of existing units. The delicate design of these electronic ORUs makes it imperative to provide isolation from the STS launch random vibration, while maintaining fundamental modes above the transient load environment. Two methods were developed and used exclusively, on Servicing Mission 2 (SM2), to isolate the ORUs from the environmental launch loads imposed by the STS. The first load isolation system utilizes a refined open/closed cell foam design to provide the required damping and corner frequency, while the second method uses an innovative Viscoelastic Material (VEM) design. This paper addresses both systems as initially designed including finite element (FE) model analysis of the VEM system. Vibration testing of prototype systems and modifications to the design resulting from test will be discussed. The final design as flown on HST SM2 with recommendations for future applications of these technologies in transporting electronic black boxes to orbit will conclude the paper.
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