CubeSat Cryocooler System (CCS)

The vision of the CubeSat Cryocooler System (CCS) is to advance the state of the art in CubeSat Cryocooler systems by developing a high efficiency, low power, two-stage coldhead pulse tube cryocooler and integrating it with proven mini Low-Cost Cryocooler Control Electronics (mLCCE) to enable performance capabilities of detectors and sensors on NASA missions. The low-cost, low-weight, and small size of the CCS caters specifically to CubeSat applications. A key objective of this effort is to develop and demonstrate cryogenic cooling technologies that allow science measurement capabilities with smaller, more affordable spacecraft while concurrently reducing system risk, cost, size, and development time, consistent with NASA SBIR Science Subtopic S1.10. During the Phase I effort, a paper study will be conducted for the thermodynamic and mechanical design optimization of a two-stage pulse tube cryocooler configuration. Also during the Phase I effort, a Cryocooler Control Electronics (CCE) brassboard will be designed, fabricated, tested, and delivered in a proof-of-concept and risk reduction effort for a follow-on Phase II which would involve developing a space qualified system.