Control Electronics for Space-Qualified Cryogenic Coolers

Future space missions will utilize small spacecraft with advanced sensor systems. Cooling of these sensors is required to decrease noise and increase sensitivity by maintaining the detector at a reduced operating temperature. The cooling system comprises a mechanical cryocooler and its control electronics, both of which are critical technologies to enable future missions. Creare proposes to develop high-reliability cryocooler control electronics that lead to unprecedented reductions in size and weight of the cooling system. Creare’s design is universally adaptable to most linear drive cryocoolers. During Phase I, we worked with our academic and commercial team partners to adapt earlier designs of cryocooler control electronics to achieve topic goals for total power, heat lift, controlled temperature, and low volume, while simultaneously providing high reliability and low exported vibration. During Phase II, we will continue working with our partners to fabricate and qualify prototype high-reliability electronics with multiple representative cryocoolers. Successful completion of this program will permit space equipment providers to include cryogenically cooled advanced sensor systems for space-borne missions on small spacecraft with low power consumption, high efficiency, and low exported vibration. Approved for Public Release 19-MDA-10203 (4 Sep 19)