Advanced Multi-Temperature Load Cooler

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) requires the capability to provide cryogenic cooling for infrared sensing, cryogen management, electronics cooling, and superconductivity for long term (over five year) space missions. Multistage cryocoolers have the potential to reduce the number of coolers needed on a spacecraft and, and therefore, reduce overall system mass and power consumption, and improve reliability. In Phase II, we propose to continue developing a Multi-Temperature Load Cooler (MTLC) that has potential to be much more compact, lightweight, and efficient than other types of multistage coolers, especially for applications that require cooling at low temperatures (less than about 35K). Our cooler will provide stable cooling for various electronics or focal plane arrays. In Phase I, we are demonstrating the operation of a breadboard MTLC. In Phase II, we will build, test, and deliver to the AFRL an engineering development model (EDM) cooler that simultaneously lifts heat at 35K and 60K. We will develop the mechanical cooler, but we will continue to use breadboard electronics. In option tasks and Phase III, we will design, build, sell, and license our cooler technology to MDA contractors to include in MDA programs.