State-of-the-art thermal systems for the SpainSat NG satellites

Intro

SpainSat NG secure communications satellites

SpainSat NG is a Spanish communications satellite programme focused on the development of new generation satellites to meet Spain’s secure communications needs.

Spain’s SpainSat NG programme will provide two advanced satellites to replace the existing SpainSat satellites. These satellites, SpainSat NG FM1 and SpainSat NG FM2, will be deployed in geostationary orbit and will operate in several bands, including X-band, military Ka-band and UHF.

The satellites are equipped with advanced anti-jamming and anti-spoofing technologies and will be reinforced and protected against high-altitude nuclear events. They will be launched in 2025 and their operational lifespan is 15 years.

Challenge

Maximum power generation in minimum space

Satellites operate in extreme vacuum, radiation and temperature conditions. Additionally, on-board systems and payloads, such as antennas or optical systems, also generate great amounts of heat and must be temperature-controlled to function properly.

SpainSat NG satellites are based on the Airbus Eurostar Neo platform, which has greater capacity and flexibility compared to the heritage. These satellites are equipped with a flexible X-Band communications payload using receive and transmit active antennas with in-orbit reconfiguration capability developed by Airbus in Spain. These active antennas represent a qualitative leap in communications performance. Furthermore, the thermal system has been suited to the specific needs of the programme as the Tx antenna generates a great amount of heat that must be dissipated for the system to function properly

Solution

Thermal control systems - key technology for the operation of active antennas aboard satellites

The primary purpose of satellite thermal control systems is to maintain the entire satellite and the equipment it houses within the temperature ranges specified for each phase of the mission.

ARQUIMEA´s involvement in the SpainSat NG programme has consisted in the co-engineering, detailed design, manufacturing and integration support of the thermal hardware of the two satellites, comprising sets of Heat Pipes (HPs) and Loop Heat Pipes (LHPs) that enable high levels of power (up to 6kW) to be extracted from the active antennas aboard these satellites.

As the power generation takes place in a very small space, the thermal system is equipped with a group of Heat Pipes integrated inside the active antenna to collect the heat from the electronics. Defining these HPs has been very complex given the small volume available within the antenna itself and the complexity of the interfaces with the electronics.

The network of Loop Heat Pipes (LHPs) and Heat Pipes (HPs) transports this heat to the satellite’s radiator panels, where the heat is ultimately discharged into space.

More info

Our thermal systems, a complete solution

ARQUIMEA has more than one decade of experience in the design, manufacturing and testing of thermal structures, systems and thermal hardware used in the most relevant international space missions. The passion for our work and the facilities we have allow us to offer high levels of quality and customization for our customers around the world.

Results

Precise heat dissipation for optimum performance

This work has been developed in ARQUIMEA´s state-of-the-art facilities over a period of more than three years, including extensive and complex rating and acceptance processes of the delivered equipment, including vacuum thermal tests and mechanical tests. The development activity has been overseen by the European Space Agency as part of the PACIS3 programme and also by Hisdesat as the end Customer.

Thermal control systems are very complex and play a critical role in the proper functioning of satellites. Thanks to our experience and technological know-how in designing and manufacturing thermal systems and structures, we are able to manage the entire chain of each project: from the design phase, through prototyping, manufacturing and testing, to integration.