NASA/GSFC CRYOCOOLER TEST PROGRAM RESULTS FOR BALL AND LOCKHEED SPACE FLIGHT CRYOCOOLERS

Leroy Sparr1, Stuart Banks2, Edward James2, and Stephen Castles1

This paper summarizes results from testing efforts performed at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) on the latest generation of long life cryocoolers produced under contract to GSFC by Ball Aerospace and Lockheed. NASA/GSFC has invested significant resources during the last decade to develop long life, low vibration mechanical cryocoolers for space applications with typical lifetimes of five years or more. These cryocoolers and the technology development they represent are the result of this dedicated effort. Both cryocoolers have undergone extensive characterization testing at NASA/GSFC which includes the measurement of load curves, power input requirements, axial and lateral vibrations measurements (with and without vibration control systems in operation), stiction testing, thermal vacuum performance testing, and alignment verification methods.

Advances in Cryogenic Engineering, Vol. 41, p. 1577 - 1584 (1996).

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