Technical monitoring and mechanical analysis for the development of a satellite radiator

The space sector is more than ever a place of unprecedented growth. In recent years, the number of small satellites launched into orbit has significantly increased. The rise of “New space” has resulted in the development of large constellations composed of hundreds of telecommunication satellites around the Earth. These satellites onboard more and more sophisticated equipment, such as optical or electronic instruments. Technology is being pushed to its limits, reaching unattainable performance levels until then. As a result, efficient heat dissipation has become a critical challenge to maintain the instruments within an allowable range of temperature to extend the electronics lifetime and prevent irreversible damage. This master’s thesis aims to provide a solution for dissipating the heat generated by onboard instruments through radiation into space. This work was carried out in collaboration with EHP, a Belgian company specialized in thermal management solutions for the space industry. The study focuses on the development of a radiator for a small satellite. The main challenge is to optimize a design that is both mechanically and thermally efficient. Different approaches and tools are supporting this development. The finite element method is employed to validate the mechanical structure and to evaluate the integration of the radiator with the satellite. In parallel, a thermal model is studied to ensure a proper heat dissipation, supported by the development of a breadboard. Despite the complexity of the subject, this thesis presents a first approach to understand the key points in developing such a system. The goal is to highlight few innovative ideas and studies that could later be applied in the industrial development of a similar product.