Case Study: SRON keeps a deep-space telescope calibration system cool with COMSOL Multiphysics

SRON uses Comsol to optimize deep-space telescope calibration with a cryogenic system and 2 thermal design improvements

SRON, the Netherlands Institute for Space Research, faced a thermal management challenge while developing a calibration system for the SAFARI deep-space telescope. The powerful onboard radiation source risked interfering with the cryogenic sensors' readings. To address this, SRON used COMSOL Multiphysics software to aid in designing a thermally insulating suspension system.

Using COMSOL, SRON optimized the design of the calibration system's suspension strings to minimize heat transfer. Furthermore, they used the software to develop an optimal coil design for an iris and shutter mechanism, which successfully minimized current and heat dissipation. The COMSOL simulation results were instrumental in achieving these design optimizations for the space instrument.

SRON (Netherlands Institute for Space Research)