Optimum design of dewar supports

A number of struts or straps support a rigid, delicate mass (dewar) which must be successfully launched and maintained in orbit for a long time at very low temperature. The support system must be designed so that the heat flow into the mass is minimized subject to constraints on minimum allowable natural frequency of the mass during launch, minimum natural frequency of the mass in orbit, maximum allowable stress in any support member during launch, and no buckling or slackening of any support member during launch. Optimum designs are obtained via the CONMIN program for a support system consisting of simple tension straps and support systems with passive thermal disconnect features by means of which the thermal conductance is greatly reduced during the transition from the launch condition to the orbital condition. The theory indicates that either of the optimized thermal disconnect support systems will allow the mass to stay cold far longer than will the optimized tension strap support system.