Development of alternative technologies of thermoregulation panels for satellites applicable for large-scale production Sonaca

Abstract

Thermoregulation of satellites is one of the most challenging fields in the aerospace industry. In order to dissipate heat by radiation, the current technology makes use of sandwich honeycomb panels with integrated constant conductance heat pipes. While exhibiting incredible performance (mass, stiffness and thermal spreading), these panels are rather complex to be manufactured. Processes are lengthy, sensitive and require highly-skilled workers. The aim of this work is to investigate innovative technologies and determine if some could challenge the reference solution currently in use. To get a quantitative comparison of the different concepts investigated, various analyses are conducted. The most relevant properties under study of the disruptive technologies are the mass, the modal properties, the stiffness and the manufacturability. This master’s thesis shows through an analytical and numerical approach that solutions using thin extruded profiles could be a functional alternative to the reference sandwich panels. These innovative solutions enable a large reduction of the manufacturing flowchart at the expense of a mass increase compared to the baseline solution. Nonetheless, to ensure the feasibility of such concepts, further experimental testing must be conducted.