ASTM International

Standard Practice for Solar Simulation for Thermal Balance Testing of Spacecraft
 N E491

Annotation

Purpose:

The primary purpose of this practice is to provide guidance for making adequate thermal balance tests of spacecraft and components where solar simulation has been determined to be the applicable method. Careful adherence to this practice should ensure the adequate simulation of the radiation environment of space for thermal tests of space vehicles.

A corollary purpose is to provide the proper test environment for systems-integration tests of space vehicles. An accurate space-simulation test for thermal balance generally will provide a good environment for operating all electrical and mechanical systems in their various mission modes to determine interferences within the complete system. Although adherence to this practice will provide the correct thermal environment for this type of test, there is no discussion of the extensive electronic equipment and procedures required to support systems-integration testing.

Nonapplicability—This practice does not apply to or provide incomplete coverage of the following types of tests:

Launch phase or atmospheric reentry of space vehicles,

Landers on planet surfaces,

Degradation of thermal coatings,

Increased friction in space of mechanical devices, sometimes called "cold welding,"

Sun sensors,

Man in space,

Energy conversion devices, and