Comments on: Thermal testing electronics for outer space

By: Ollie

Ollie — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 11:10:46 +0000

Nice idea, it would be worth looking at the intercooler performance development.

By: greg schoppe

greg schoppe — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 06:59:03 +0000

extreme cooling is not the only issue with electronics in space, over-HEATING is also a concern... without the effects of gravity (or in freefall, if you prefer), heated gas does not rise. Therefore, the heat from electronics isn't naturally wafted away by the air. Without fan based cooling, electronics of even the most basic level gain an envelope of superheated air that can fry them...

By: JD

JD — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 23:11:32 +0000

You don’t need gigantic devices to get a small area (components) down to “space level” temps. The device I have at work (Space Level Components) is just an over-glorified refrigerator compressor. In order to hit the temps required for “space level”, you should really use nitrogen in the “air blast” instead of normal air, to avoid any issues with moisture freezing and damaging the device. Dry ice and LN2 is fun and all, but having a steady supply isn’t worth the effort. Re-purpose an old fridge compressor setup, add in some TECs (Peltier Devices) if its not enough, and have fun.

By: eda74

eda74 — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:51:15 +0000

Looks like a super beer cooler !

By: Caladan

Caladan — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:26:08 +0000

Mark is right, the main problem are huge temperature differences . You should also remember that in space there is heavy radiation, so you have to use special radhard IC or at last old ICs which have big transistors, not that easily destryed by single particle.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 06:14:31 +0000

When I worked for the CSA we used a giant (as in ~50ft high) vacuum chamber. The device would be blasted with an array of halogen lights on one side, and chilled with liquid nitrogen on the other. You must realize that when facing the sun directly, there could be a 200 degree difference between front and back. This plays hell on electronics. Non uniform temperature distribution causes more malfunctions than any single extreme temperature – within reason :P

By: dax

dax — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 05:01:45 +0000

@bonessk – That’s a good statement, as most consumer (or even “rugged”) electronics are rated at -40 to +80C, and that’s not good enough in winter in Canada (or any other country in the north :P). Winter in the territories is wicked.

I suppose the lack of air pressure is a further test that some components would need a test or a pressurized vessel for..

By: BonesSK

BonesSK — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:51:45 +0000

Space, how about just for working in Canadian Prairie Winters!

By: 3ricj

3ricj — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:27:26 +0000

Quick correction to the above post: the LN2 cools it down to -70C or colder; with dry ice alone you can get down to -42C