Development for Space Use of BAe’s Improved Single-Stage Stirling Cycle Cooler for Applications in the Range 50–80 K

Abstract

This paper discusses the development at British Aerospace Space Systems Ltd (BAe) of an improved single-stage split Stirling cycle cooler for space applications. The design is based upon BAe’s well proven 80K cooler which is itself a direct derivative of the Oxford ISAMS cooler.

The cooler operates in the range 50 to 80K with significantly improved efficiency and heat lift capacity (800 mwatt at 55K) when compared to the earlier BAe 80K cooler. The design and the development activities are discussed, including a brief presentation of the early proof of concept and development model coolers, and more detailed discussion of the later batch manufacture and proposed flight qualification testing.