Open Access

ARTICLE

LONG-TERM ON-ORBIT THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF AEROGEL INSULATION

Kevin W. Irick^a , Sally M. Smith^b , Andrew D. Williams^b,* , Derek W. Hengeveld^c , Joy M. Stein^b

a Applied Technology Associates, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87123, USA
b U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, 87117, USA
c LoadPath, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87106, USA

* Corresponding Author: E-mail:

Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer 2019, 12, 1-5. https://doi.org/10.5098/hmt.12.30

Abstract

This paper provides an analysis of the thermal performance of aerogel insulation used during a long-term International Space Station (ISS) flight experiment aboard Space Test Program – Houston 3 (STP-H3). The Variable emissivity device Aerogel insulation blanket, Dual zone thermal control Experiment suite for Responsive space (VADER) investigation tested a variable emissivity radiator and a new form of multi-layer insulation that used aerogel as the thermal isolator. An effort was made to evaluate the performance of the aerogel insulation over the active flight period. The available flight temperature data shows no evidence of deterioration or change in the aerogel insulation’s thermal performance during the two-year on-orbit period.

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Keywords

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