Salt materials testing for a spacecraft adiabatic demagnetization refrigeratorAs part of a technology development effort to qualify adiabatic demagnetization refrigerators for use in a NASA spacecraft, such as the Space Infrared Telescope Facility, a study of low temperature characteristics, heat capacity and resistance to dehydration was conducted for different salt materials. This report includes results of testing with cerrous metaphosphate, several synthetic rubies, and chromic potassium alum (CPA). Preliminary results show that CPA may be suitable for long-term spacecraft use, provided that the salt is property encapsulated. Methods of salt pill construction and testing for all materials are discussed, as well as reliability tests. Also, the temperature regulation scheme and the test cryostat design are briefly discussed.
Document ID
19920030786
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Savage, M. L. (Sterling Software, Inc. Palo Alto, CA, United States)
Kittel, P. (Sterling Software, Inc. Palo Alto, CA, United States)
Roellig, T. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)