1 Scope
Solid-liquid phase-change materials (PCM) are a favoured approach to spacecraft passive
thermal control for incident orbital heat fluxes or when there are wide fluctuations
in onboard equipment.
The PCM thermal control system consists of a container which is filled with a substance
capable of undergoing a phase-change. When there is an the increase in surface temperature
of spacecraft the PCM absorbs the excess heat by melting. If there is a temperature
decrease, then the PCM can provide heat by solidifying.
Many types of PCM systems are used in spacecrafts for different types of thermal transfer
control.
Characteristics and performance of phase control materials are described in this Part.
Existing PCM systems are also described.
The Thermal design handbook is published in 16 Parts
| TR 17603‑31‑01 | Thermal design handbook – Part 1: View factors |
| TR 17603‑31‑02 | Thermal design handbook – Part 2: Holes, Grooves and Cavities |
| TR 17603‑31‑03 | Thermal design handbook – Part 3: Spacecraft Surface Temperature |
| TR 17603‑31‑04 | Thermal design handbook – Part 4: Conductive Heat Transfer |
| TR 17603‑31‑05 | Thermal design handbook – Part 5: Structural Materials: Metallic and Composite |
| TR 17603‑31‑06 | Thermal design handbook – Part 6: Thermal Control Surfaces |
| TR 17603‑31‑07 | Thermal design handbook – Part 7: Insulations |
| TR 17603‑31‑08 | Thermal design handbook – Part 8: Heat Pipes |
| TR 17603‑31‑09 | Thermal design handbook – Part 9: Radiators |
| TR 17603‑31‑10 | Thermal design handbook – Part 10: Phase – Change Capacitors |
| TR 17603‑31‑11 | Thermal design handbook – Part 11: Electrical Heating |
| TR 17603‑31‑12 | Thermal design handbook – Part 12: Louvers |
| TR 17603‑31‑13 | Thermal design handbook – Part 13: Fluid Loops |
| TR 17603‑31‑14 | Thermal design handbook – Part 14: Cryogenic Cooling |
| TR 17603‑31‑15 | Thermal design handbook – Part 15: Existing Satellites |
| TR 17603‑31‑16 | Thermal design handbook – Part 16: Thermal Protection System |