Compact Cryocooler Electronics (CCCE) for Small Satellites

Compact Cryocooler Control Electronics (C3E) have been developed to provide an optimized radiation hard cryocooler controller option for small (< 50 WAC power class) cryocoolers. The first generation C3E is improved upon in the proposed follow-on effort by adding additional health and status telemetry and additional firmware operational features to improve cryocooler efficiency as a function of the system temperatures. The second generation C3E will be subjected to full environmental testing to achieve TRL 6. In addition, the C3E will be tested with the Northrop Grumman Micro Pulse Tube Cryocooler to provide a complete Cryocooler System demonstration.

Any spaceborne infrared sensor requiring use of a small cryocooler, such as for Earth imaging, planetary exploration, space-to-space viewing, Artemis program, etc. By the end of Phase II-E the C3E will have been tested with an AIM SF070, Thales LSF9997, Thales LPT 9510, Lockheed Martin Microcryocooler, and Northrop Grumman Micro PTC. The C3E will be immediately available for pairing with any of these, or similar, cryocoolers.

This technology is of great interest to the Department of Defense as it pursues its Resiliency through Disaggregation approach by which one or few large satellites are replaced with a large constellation of small satellites.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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