Introduction to Spacecraft Thermal Design

Develop a fundamental understanding of heat transfer analysis techniques as applied to earth based spacecraft with this practical guide. Written in a tutorial style, this essential text provides a how-to manual tailored for those who wish to understand and develop spacecraft thermal analyses. Providing an overview of basic heat transfer analysis fundamentals such as thermal circuits, limiting resistance, MLI, environmental thermal sources and sinks, as well as contemporary space based thermal technologies, and the distinctions between design considerations inherent to room temperature and cryogenic temperature applications, this is the perfect tool for graduate students, professionals and academic researchers.

1. Introduction; 2. Conduction heat transfer analysis; 3. Radiation heat transfer analysis; 4. The space environment; 5. Space-based advanced thermal conductance and storage technologies; 6. Sensors, instrumentation, and test support hardware; 7. Fundamentals of cryogenics; 8. Developmental and environmental testing.

Eric A. Silk is a lecturer in the Aerospace Engineering Department at the University of Maryland with twenty-two years of engineering experience in spacecraft/instrument thermal modelling, applied thermodynamics, high heat flux cooling systems, and thermal control system design and analysis.