Low Cost Cryocooler Control Electronics for Small Space Platforms

Many of NASA’s future space science missions will utilize small spacecraft, and many of these missions will require cryocoolers for cooling detectors, sensors, shields, and telescopes. For Class C and D missions, the cryocooler technical requirements for performance, size, and mass, coupled with the programmatic requirements for minimal cost and development time, are extremely challenging. Flight‑ready cryocoolers and associated control electronics developed for traditional satellites do not meet these technical, cost, or schedule requirements for future small space platforms. Creare proposes to develop a low cost cryocooler control electronics package that leverages technologies and capabilities previously demonstrated on prior programs. During Phase I, we developed a set of requirements, designed low cost electronics to meet these requirements, and verified production cost is low enough to compete with commercial off-the-shelf solutions. During Phase II, we will continue to work closely with our partners to fabricate and qualify protoflight electronics with representative cryocoolers. Successful completion of this program will enable advanced sensor systems for cost constrained space-borne science, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. More »