Successful application of special-shaped armored thermal control devices for space propulsion systems

Recently, the Institute of Metal Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences received an application certificate from the 801 Institute of the Sixth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. The tile-type armored heater for the HAN-based non-toxic thruster developed by the Institute of Metals Material Friction and Wear and Aerospace Thermal Control Service Research Group is in the new The successful application of a generation of manned spacecraft is fully affirmed.

The new generation of manned spacecraft was launched on May 5, 2020 by the Long March 5B carrier rocket at the Wenchang Space Launch Site in China, and the tile-type armored heater for HAN-based non-toxic thrusters was used in orbit for the first time in the new spacecraft test ship The non-toxic propulsion system ensures the safe return and re-entry of the return cabin. According to the ground test data, the armored heater works normally during the orbit, and the temperature of the thruster is within the required range, which guarantees the starting performance of the thruster. Tile-type armored heaters and related research results can be applied to other types of propulsion system platforms and more fields.

In recent years, under the new background of the non-toxic development of the space propulsion system of manned spacecraft, in order to meet the needs of thermal control of HAN-based non-toxic thrusters, the research team engineer Hou Sien has focused on the space limitations, high resistance density, and high resistance of thermal control facilities. High-temperature insulation and three-way independent heating unit requirements, designed and developed a tile-type armored heater for HAN-based non-toxic thrusters, breaking through key technologies such as high-power heating core preparation, overall armoring, and molding packaging. Related research results were published and exchanged at the Fifth Aerospace Power Joint Conference.

In order to meet the technical requirements of the space propulsion system for the continuous improvement of thermal control technology, the research team of the institute's material friction and wear and aerospace thermal control service began to develop special-shaped armored thermal control devices from the beginning of this century. Products such as chip and strip armored heaters and ring-shaped armored thermal control components have been developed, which are widely used in the "Shenzhou" series of spacecraft, "Tiangong" series of target aircraft, "Chang'e" lunar exploration project, and Mars exploration. In the aerospace program, the requirements of various aerospace propulsion systems for the serialization, multi-function and performance upgrade of thermal control devices are met.