Thermal Analysis of Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera

Challenge

Predict Thermal Behavior

Quartus was contracted by Malin Space Science Systems (MSSS) to perform thermal analysis for the NASA Lunar Orbiter Cameras (LROC). The narrow angle cameras, a vis/UV wide angle camera and an electronic sequence & compressor system were analyzed. Quartus received preliminary thermal models and flight predicts from MSSS.

Solution

Mature Thermal Model for Integration

MSSS models were updated to mature configurations using NASA’s preferred software. New flight simulations were run and a thermal vacuum test setup was modeled and evaluated to test for near lunar orbit conditions. Proactive support by experienced opto-mechanical thermal analysts combined with balance of direct and end customers’ needs resulted in customer success.

“…Quartus is enthusiastically tackling each problem as they occur and finding some of the errors from former analyses. … Overall, it was great to work with Quartus…” Charles Baker LROC Thermal Director, NASA GSFC