Innovative Manufacturing Processes

Primary objective of this program was to pursue means by which space cryocooler costs can be reduced by improving the producibility. A secondary objective was to explore means by which the designs can simultaneously be improved to reduce weight and/or increase efficiency, as such improvements reduce the overall cost of the IR payload by reducing launch cost, radiator size, and power draw from the bus. The Phase I effort focused on three of the most challenging and most costly components of the mechanical cryocooler: linear motors, flexures, and piston position sensors. All three tasks were completed in Phase I. The Phase I findings will be applied in Phase II, during which a low cost cryocooler for space applications will be designed, built, and tested. The Phase II cryocooler will be designed for suitability with long-life tactical cryocooler applications to help enable further cost reduction for MDA through the resultant increase in production quantities.