Thermal Analysis and Strategy of Optical Gondola under a Stratosphere Airship

Earth limb atmospheric optical observation is one of the important means to study the variation of the characteristics of the middle and upper atmosphere targets. Thermal state of optical remote sensing equipment is very significant to its optical accuracy and SNR control, which directly affects the quality of observation data and the realization of observation task. It is a feasible method to detect mesospheric OH-radicals accurately based on the high-altitude airship platform. A reasonable thermal state is essential to ensure the performance of Spatial Heterodyne Spectrometer (SHS) under a stratosphere airship. In order to meet the thermal control requirements, the thermal environment of the optical gondola and airship is analyzed, and then the thermal mathematical model is established quantitatively. Temperature variations of two typical states, ascent phase and floating phase, are calculated and analyzed successively. The results show that the temperature field and the thermal control measurements can satisfy the temperature control requirement of optical and electronics components. Finally thermal strategy of flight test is analyzed and made correspondingly based on the calculation results of temperature field and heaters. The suggestions for improvement are given, such as increasing initial temperature and total heat capacity, lens protection measures and flexible thermal conduction band for CCD. The analysis method and flight strategy can be used as a useful reference for the design and development of thermal control status of similar equipment.