Liquid Helium and Nitrogen Supply Systems for Space Simulators

Abstract

The magnitude of costs and complexity of equipment needed for the launch of a single space probe dictates the need for system components of maximum reliability, To attain the degree of perfection required, these system components must be designed, fabricated, and tested to meet the actual conditions of space flight. Economy dictates that these conditions be examined and that operational tests be conducted, where possible, at the earth’s surface. Three of these space characteristics which may have great effect on the flight performance of system components and which can be simulated at the earth’s surface are the point source or unidirectional high radiation source, the cold heat sink and the high vacuum of space. This paper will be concerned with the cryogenic systems required to simulate the second and third of these conditions, Equipment to be discussed will include two large helium refrigeration systems operating at the 20° and 4.2°K levels, As for any engineering test of a prototype, exact reproduction of space environment may not be required; simulation is necessary only to the extent that it will affect flight equipment performance.