Thermal Analysis of an ESPA Class Host Satellite using Oscillating Heat Pipes and Deployable Solar Array Backed Radiator

This paper presents systems level thermal analysis of a Highly Usable Host (HUH) ESPA class satellite using a combination of Oscillating Heat Pipes (OHP) and a Deployable Solar Array Backed Radiator (DSABR) for the primary thermal control systems architecture. The ESPA class spacecraft provide an inexpensive alternative to higher-cost missions by providing a plug-and-play (PnP) platform that can accommodate a wide range of customer payloads. The thermal control system presented here would allow for payloads launched in various Low Earth Orbits (LEO) within a given beta angle and altitude range. The HUH spacecraft consists of 1) a spacecraft bus and deployable solar arrays for scalable pointing and power and 2) a payload accommodations platform, which serves as the common interface. The thermal control system leverages deployable Oscillating Heat Pipes (OHPs) that form the basis of the PnP bench and radiator located on the backside of the solar array structure. The OHPs are modeling herein using a systems level approach based on archived public domain OHP performance data and incorporated into an overall Thermal Desktop model of the HUH. The paper outlines the methodology of the Thermal Desktop model and presents results for a variety of Sun Synchronous and Nadir Beta angle simulations.