Space wire to help upper atmosphere research

Citation

(1999), "Space wire to help upper atmosphere research", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 71 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.1999.12771eaf.007

Space wire to help upper atmosphere research

Space wire to help upper atmosphere research

Keywords: Raychem, Wire, Satellites, Atmosphere

Raychem has donated 200 metres of high-performance space wire to help ensure a temperature-sensing satellite instrument works effectively. The HIRDLS (the high resolution dynamics limb sounder) satellite instrument, being built to measure temperature and chemical constituent amounts in the upper atmosphere on a much finer spatial scale than ever before, will be launched on the NASA EOS Chem-1 satellite in 2002 and is planned to remain in space for six years.

Oxford University, which is taking the scientific and technical lead in the UK for the joint US/UK project and handling the calibration prior to launch, appealed to Raychem for runs of Spec 55 wire for use on the "in-flight calibrator", a black cavity that has to be maintained at a very precisely known and stable temperature.

The in-flight calibrator emits infra-red radiation which enables the instrument to be calibrated precisely, so that the atmospheric temperatures and constituent amounts can be accurately measured.

"We use titanium to ensure that temperature variations of the outer housing have very little effect on the cavity", says Dr John Barnett, Oxford University Department of Physics' principal investigator. "Being in the vacuum of space with gold plating helps considerably, but it is a harsh reality that a large number of electrical wires need to go to the inner cavity and they need to have as little thermal conductivity as possible to avoid bridging the titanium. The Raychem wire is ideal for this purpose."

Russ Graves, Raychem Wire & Cable senior product manager, adds, "We are delighted to be able to support Oxford University in this venture. As a company that places a great emphasis on supporting educational initiatives and working closely with seats of learning across the world, it is a project that really appeals to us."

Raychem's Spec 55 wire is being used on a number of space projects around the world, including the International Space Station. It claims outstanding resistance to chemicals and solvents; it also claims excellent electrical arc track resistance and is said not to be susceptible to UV and moisture degradation.

Further details are available from Raychem Ltd. Tel: +44 (0) 1793 528171; Fax: +44 (0) 1793 572276.