Multifunctional equipment design by using high thermal conductivity fibres

A new equipment housing and satellite platform design concept has been developed, the so-called, Multifunctional Structures MFS. The MFS integrates thermal, electrical, mechanical and radiation shielding functionalities under the same structure by using flexible circuits, lightweight structures, shielding concepts and high thermal conductivity pitch fibres, acting as thermal doublers integrated onto the structural sandwich. As demonstrator concept, the Data Handling Unit (DHU) of PROTEUS Minisat bus was identified. During the re-engineering design, manufacturing and testing have been performed. Several aspects as materials, assembly and shielding have been studied. This project has allowed assessing the potentialities of using the MFS concept for equipment housings of future space missions. The work has been carried out under ESA GSTP contract 16725/02/NL/CK "Advanced Equipment Design", following a multi-partners collaborative approach miniproject. Under the same project technological samples and breadboards for equipment housings of ADPMS PROBA2 satellite, improved integrated design of INMARSAT equipment and T/R Modules of the electronic boxe s for SAR antenna have been designed, manufactured and tested.