Thermal Testing

Sensor Placement

Component	Node Nr	FDR Report Page Nr	Testing	Inflight
S-Band Antenna	105	105	Yes	Yes, one internal IC
UHf	112	68	Yes	No
COM Amateur Radio	225	28	Yes	Yes, 2 internal IC
COMs Tranceiver	255	28	Yes	Yes, 2 internal IC
OBC	205	30	Yes	Yes, 2 internal IC
Sensor Board	315	68	Yes	Yes, 2 internal IC
ADCS CubeMag	-	-	Yes	No, 2 internal IC
EPS Bottom Board	705	27	Yes	Yes 2 internal IC
EPS Top Board	771,772	31	Yes	Yes, 3 internal IC
EPS Battery Board			Yes	Yes 2 internal IC
Solar Panel - a	1201	28	Yes	Yes, 2 internal IC
Solar Panel - b	1211	28	Yes	Yes, 2 internal IC
Solar Panel - c	1221	28	Yes	Yes, 2 internal IC
Panel d	1231	28	Yes	No
Panel z+	1245	68	Yes	No
Microfluidic Chip	990	68	Yes	Yes, 1 Thermistor
bioBox bottom	1500,1504,1520,1604	28	Yes	Yes, 4 Thermistors
bioBox up	1524,1600,1620,1624	28	Yes	Yes, 4 Thermistors
ADCS Cube	512,655	32,28	Yes	Yes, 2 interna IC
External Sensors			Yes, 9 or 11 for external measurements	No

Sensor fixation

This is a list of thermally conductive, adhesive epoxies that can be used to fixate the thermal sensors on the necessary components. All epoxies below pass NASA low outgassing tests.

EP21TCHT-1

https://www.masterbond.com/tds/ep21tcht-1
Service temperature range: 4 K to 400 F (ca. 204°C)
Heat Cure schedule: Overnight at room temperature, followed by 2 hours at 175-200°F
Website has a form to discuss application with the manufacturer and a techincal data sheet may be requested

EP53TC

https://www.masterbond.com/newsrelease/ep53tc
Service temperature range: -73°C to +149°C
Heat Cure schedule: 2 hours at 80°C followed by 90-120 minutes at 125°C
Website has a form to discuss application with the manufacturer and a techincal data sheet may be requested

EP29LPSPAO-1 Black

https://www.masterbond.com/tds/ep29lpspao-1-black
Service temperature range: 4 K to 250 F (ca. 121°C)
Heat Cure schedule: 12-24 hours at room temperature, followed by heating
Website has a form to discuss application with the manufacturer and a techincal data sheet may be requested

The decision was made to use tape, to not affect other tests and be able to use the components after the test.

The side panel are planned to be coated in A276 or Second Surface Mirror (Silver/Inconel FEP SMM Radiator Tape from Dunmore Aerospace)

Procedure for Thermal Testing of Payload-Box

Freezing Preparation

Put the ice into the Styrofoam cup so that the bottom of the cup is not visible.
Pour cold tap water until the ice is barely covered.
Insert and fix a thermometer into the cup.
Stir at least every minute until the thermometer reaches 0-1°C, then start the test.
Connect the thermocouples to the device. Start up the software.

Boiling Preparation

Calculate the boiling point of water based on atmospheric pressure reported by a local weather service.
Pour 1.5 - 2.5 L of tap water into a pot on the stove.
Put the water to boil.
Lower the heat until no dangerous splashing.
Wait 5 minutes.
If the temperature is still at b.p. ±2°C, start the test. If not, adjust the heating, wait 2 more minutes, and repeat until b.p. ±2°C is reached.

Test Execution (applicable to freezing and boiling conditions)

If test readiness passed, stir the water and insert one thermocouple at the height of the reference thermometer. Fix the thermocouple.
Wait until the reading stabilizes, i.e., within 0.1°C over the last minute.
Stir every 10 seconds.
Record the value.
Repeat with every thermocouple connected to individual ports.
If more ports than thermocouples exist, plug the most accurate thermocouple into other ports.
Record all anomalies. If an outlier is detected, test the same thermocouple in a different port and another thermocouple in the same port. What to do when anomalies are detected? Can the code be adjusted during the testing?

Sensor Placement​

Sensor fixation​

Procedure for Thermal Testing of Payload-Box​

Freezing Preparation​

Boiling Preparation​

Test Execution (applicable to freezing and boiling conditions)​