Evolution in the thermal performance of radiation-cooled traveling wave tubes for satellite applications

Abstract

In the radiation-cooled TWT design, a radiating structure is installed over the collector electrodes and located outside of the spacecraft, allowing the majority of the collector thermal dissipation to radiate directly to space. This paper explores the evolution in TWT radiator temperatures over life, in an attempt to determine the relative degradation, if any, in TWT radiator optical properties as such degradation can lead to increased radiator temperatures. An example of the temperature increase over is life is presented.