PSP Bibliography

Parker solar probe structural-thermal analysis challenges

The NASA Parker Solar Probe spacecraft, built by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab will fly through the outermost part of the Sun s atmosphere taking in situ measurements and imaging to improve our understanding of the corona and the solar wind. The Thermal Protection System (TPS), a 4.5-inch thick carbon-composite heat shield, limits heat transfer to the spacecraft during its flight through the Sun s atmosphere, and casts a shadow which protects the spacecraft and its instruments from the harsh thermal enviro ...

Conkey, Shelly; Congdon, Elisabeth; Schaefer, Ed; Abel, Elizabeth;

Published by: Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC      Published on:

YEAR: 2019     DOI:

Ability testing; Carbon carbon composites; Correlation methods; Heat shielding; Heat transfer; NASA; Orbits; Probes; Software testing; Structural properties; Temperature; Test facilities; Thermoanalysis; Thermocouples; Uncertainty analysis; Parker Engineering

Case study of the parker solar probe thermal protection system: Development of a system level process for high temperature technology achievement

Successful development of high temperature systems is complex and difficult. Limitations in testing, manufacturing and materials means that design and testing of such systems is challenging. NASA s Parker Solar Probe (PSP) Spacecraft built by the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory was launched in August 2018 and is measuring the Sun s atmosphere in situ. A critical technology development which made this mission possible is the 4.5 inch-thick Thermal Protection System (TPS) that has to withstand 2500°F and protect t ...

Congdon, Elizabeth; Mehoke, Douglas; Conkey, Shelly; Schaefer, Ed; Abel, Elisabeth;

Published by: Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC      Published on:

YEAR: 2019     DOI:

Heat shielding; High temperature effects; High temperature engineering; Manufacture; NASA; Probes; Thermal insulating materials; Parker Engineering

Thermal design verification testing of the solar array cooling system for Parker solar probe

Parker Solar Probe (PSP) will explore the inner region of the heliosphere through in situ and remote sensing observations of the magnetic field, plasma, and accelerated particles. PSP will travel closer to the sun (9.86 solar radii [(RS)]) than any previous spacecraft in order to obtain repeated coronal magnetic field and plasma measurements in the region of the sun that generates the solar wind. The baseline mission will entail 7 years from launch in 2018 until the completion of the 24th orbit; if delays necessit ...

Ercol, Carl; Abel, Elisabeth; Holtzman, Allan; Wallis, Eric;

Published by: 30th Space Simulation Conference: Mission Success Through Testing of Critical Challenges      Published on:

YEAR: 2018     DOI:

Cooling systems; magnetic fields; Magnetoplasma; Orbits; Probes; Remote sensing; Solar cell arrays; Space flight; Thermoelectric equipment; Parker Engineering

Full scale thermal simulator development for the solar probe plus thermal protection system

Solar Probe Plus (SPP) is a NASA mission that will go within ten Solar Radii of the sun. One of the crucial technologies in this system is the Thermal Protection System (TPS), which shields the spacecraft from the sun. The TPS is made up of carbon-foam sandwiched between two carbon-carbon panels, and is approximately eight feet in diameter and 4.5 inches thick. At its closest approach, the front surface of the TPS is expected to reach 1200°C, but the foam will dissipate the heat so the back surface will only be about 300 ...

Heisler, Elizabeth; Abel, Elisabeth; Congdon, Elizabeth; Eby, Daniel;

Published by: IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings      Published on:

YEAR: 2017     DOI:

Aluminum coated steel; Carbon; Foams; Heat shielding; NASA; Probes; Simulators; Space flight; Stainless steel; Thermal insulating materials; Thermoanalysis; Vacuum technology; Parker Engineering

Development of the solar probe plus spacecraft thermal protection system (TPS) thermal simulator-subscale testing

The NASA’s Solar Probe Plus spacecraft must endure extreme heat loads while passing near the Sun. Due to its high incident heatload and temperature, the spacecraft Thermal Protection System (TPS) must be simulated using a custom thermal simulator during spacecraft thermal vacuum testing. As part of the development of the TPS thermal simulator, subscale testing was performed. The design, testing, results and lessons learned are described in this paper. Especially useful are the design aspects needed to achieve the high ...

Congdon, Elizabeth; Abel, Elisabeth; Heisler, Elizabeth;

Published by: 32nd AIAA Aerodynamic Measurement Technology and Ground Testing Conference      Published on:

YEAR: 2016     DOI:

Aerodynamics; Heat shielding; NASA; Probes; Simulators; Spacecraft; Thermal insulating materials; Parker Engineering

Testing of solar cells for the solar probe plus mission

The Solar Probe Plus (SPP) is an upcoming mission in NASA s "Living with a Star Program" to be built by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. The spacecraft will orbit the sun for a primary mission duration of seven years, making a closest approach to the sun at a distance of 0.0442 AU. Instrumentation on SPP will focus on two primary science investigations: the sun s coronal heating and solar wind acceleration, and the production, evolution, and transport of solar energetic particles. The mission is sched ...

Scheiman, David; Piszczor, Michael; Snyder, David; McNatt, Jeremiah; Landis, Geoffrey; Isabella, Louis; Putt, Nicolas;

Published by: Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference      Published on:

YEAR: 2011     DOI:

Gallium compounds; Heat shielding; NASA; Orbits; Probes; Solar cell arrays; Space flight; Parker Engineering