Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system and often looks similar to the moon; however, this cratered world boasts an iron core with evidence of past tectonic activity and volcanism. Telescope observations made from Earth indicate that Mercury could contain water ice in its polar regions, with evidence provided by MESSENGER for supporting […]
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Spacecraft require a wide temperature range for survival and operations, with thermal control systems (TCS) keeping temperatures within specific limits via passive or active systems. Examples of passive systems include paints, coatings and surface finishes which alter solar absorptivity or infrared emission on surfaces required to absorb or release environmental heat, as well as second-surface
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Spacecraft thermal control systems (TCSs) ensure that a spacecraft remains within temperature limits that are appropriate to its orbit, power demand and operation. Equipment utilized includes radiators, Multi Layer Insulation blankets, two-phase devices such as heat pipes or capillary pumped loops as well as mechanical louvers and thermal switches. These systems channel heat from spacecraft
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Spacecraft equipment must operate within an acceptable temperature range to complete its mission successfully, doing this by either absorbing or rejecting heat from its environment. Hardware available to accomplish this includes multilayer insulation systems to shield equipment from excessive solar and planetary heating, thermal paints and coatings that change optical properties (such as solar absorptance
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