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Lessons Learned from the Wide Field Camera 3 TV1 and TV2 Thermal Vacuum Test CampaignsThe Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) instrument has undergone two complete thermal vacuum tests (TV1 and TV2), during which valuable lessons were learned regarding test configuration, test execution, model capabilities, and modeling practices. The very complex thermal design of WFC3 produced a number of challenging aspects to ground testing with numerous ThermoElectric Coolers and heat pipes, not all of which were functional. Lessons learned during TV1 resulted in significant upgrades to the model capabilities and a change in the test environment approach for TV2. These upgrades proved invaluable during TV2 when pretest modeling assumptions proved to be false. Each of the lessons learned relate to one of two following broad statements: 1. Ensure the design can be tested and that the effect of non-flight like conditions is well understood, particularly with respect to non passive devices (TECs, Heat Pipes, etc) 2. Ensure that the model is sufficiently detailed and is capable of predicting off-nominal behavior and the power dissipation of any thermal devices, especially TECs This paper outlines a number of the lessons learned over these two test campaigns with respect to the thermal design, model, and test configuration and presents recommendations for future tests.
Document ID
20080040775
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Peabody, Hume
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Stavely, Richard
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Bast, William
(ATK-Space Division United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
June 28, 2008
Subject Category
Instrumentation And Photography
Report/Patent Number
08ICES-0152
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Conference on Environmental Systems
Location: San Francisco, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: June 29, 2008
End Date: July 2, 2008
Sponsors: Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc.
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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