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Objectives
Design, manufacture and characterize a MLI blanket that is capable of reducing the coupling between antennas and multipath effects.
The MLI blanket shall:
- Maintain its primary thermos-optical functionality,
- Be able to withstand the harsh space environment,
Be characterised with respected to their thermal-optical and electrical properties.
Challenges
The key challenges of the project are to develop with available space qualified materials (outgassing, cleanliness, solvent compatibility) a technology to enable RF absorption in either C band, Ku band and/or Ka band.
In addition, the blanket shall perform, at least, as a traditional MLI, withstanding temperatures up to 200 ºC and with a thermal efficiency under 0,02.
Best practices shall be applied in order to be PIM-free.
Mass and thickness shall be comprised between acceptable values.
Attachment, grounding and venting solutions shall be established and verified.
ITAR-free materials are preferred.
Plan
Phase 1:
Task 1: state of the art survey; requirements definition
Task 2: concept trade-off
Task 3: preliminary design of MLI breadboard
Task 4: sample test campaign
Phase 2:
Task 5: detailed design and analysis of MLI breadboard
Task 6: manufacture of MLI breadboard
Task 7: characterization and testing of MLI breadboard
Task 8: development plan
Current Status
Project has been almost completed, final meeting scheduled.
