Thermal design and flight validation of HJ-1-C

HJ-1-C is a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite of the Chinese Environment and Natural Disaster Monitoring constellation launched on November 19, 2012. The SAR payload uses mesh parabolic reflector antenna and solid-state transmitter to transmit high power in centralized manner. Based on the design concept that passive thermal control would be preferred over active thermal control for its simplicity and inherent reliability, HJ-1-C satellite thermal control system were provided in accordance with the HJ-1-C satellite working characteristics and space thermal environment on its orbit. The presentations about thermal design techniques, scheme and key problems solved are given. Moreover, onboard performance of the satellite on its orbit was analyzed. The flight telemetry data showed that the thermal control design was reasonable and well satisfied with the temperature requirements of the electronic equipments and payloads, which ensured the safety and reliability operation of satellite.