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Leroy Sparr, Michelle Sartor, Robert Boyle, Stephen Castles & Thomas Cygnarowicz Cryogenics, Propulsion and Fluid Systems Branch NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD 20771
Stuart Banks & Edward James McDonnell Douglas Corp. Seabrook, MD, USA 20706
Vincent Arillo & Richard Cory Hughes-STX Greenbelt, MD USA 20770
This paper summarizes major results from testing efforts performed at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA/GSFC) on the latest generation of long life cryocoolers produced by Ball Aerospace, Lockheed, TRW and Fairchild/Creare. All of these cryocoolers were installed on vibration dynamometers in a thermal vacuum chamber. Characterization tests include the measurement of cooling load as a function of temperature; power input; axial and lateral vibration measurements, both with and without vibration control implemented; stiction testing; thermal vacuum performance testing; and where possible, methods of alignment verification. Once initial characterization is completed, life testing will commence. Characterization testing will be repeated every 2000 hours to monitor performance degradation over time. Conclusions and lessons learned are presented.