Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) superfluid helium tank temperature controlThe infrared detectors on the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS), which was placed into a polar orbit in January 1983, are cooled to a temperature of less than 3 K by thermal coupling to the main cryogenic tank (MCT) containing superfluid helium. A porous plug built into the vent line entrance acts as a superfluid helium liquid/vapor separator in zero gravity. A description of the IRAS MCT flight porous plug is presented, and tests of the plug in situ are discussed, taking into account submerged plug tests, a restart test, and a cold vapor flow test. Aspects of flow rate determination in the case of an unavailability of flight flow rate data are also considered.
Document ID
19850044362
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Petrac, D. (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Mason, P. V. (California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena CA, United States)