Comparison of methods for the calculation of thermal contact resistance of the first Brazilian satellite

A comparative study of the methods developed for the calculation of thermal contact resistance between two surfaces submitted to a perpendicular heat flux is presented. Several factors affecting this resistance are analyzed and a brief historical review of the works in this field is made, spotting the methods of interest for space applications. These are compared to experimental data so as to establish the most proper method for the couplings of the first Brazilian satellite.