Introduction to Spacecraft Thermal Design

Description

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.

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.

'The text provides a comprehensive overview of the thermophysical processes, operating principles, governing equations and solution methods for spacecraft thermal design. Unlike over standard heat transfer textbooks, the system design issues are presented and analyzed in detail with respect to a space environment that considers both earth-based and deep-space missions. Another strength of the book is its diverse set of worked examples throughout each chapter and end-of-chapter problems. This book serves as an excellent learning resource for students and valuable reference for all professionals and researchers who are working on spacecraft design.' Greg F. Naterer, Memorial University of Newfoundland 'Introduction to Spacecraft Thermal Design thoroughly fills a much needed gap in a growing field. Bringing together the fundamentals of heat transfer, the uniqueness of the space environment and the essentials of thermal design, it is a useful text and handy guide for student and experienced practitioner alike.' Mike Pauken, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology