LEDSAT 1U CubeSat thermal analysis and steady state calibration for thermal-vacuum testing

Abstract

This paper reports the results from the thermal analysis, the steady state analysis and the thermal vacuum testing from the LEDSAT 1U CubeSat environmental qualification. While the thermal analysis has been computed to state the compliance of the CubeSat to the orbital environment, the steady state analysis has been performed to confirm the suitability of the selected thermal vacuum test levels for the survivability and operational ranges of the satellite components. The spacecraft system-level thermal vacuum testing has given satisfying results, with perfect functionalities of the spacecraft and with a successful qualification of the PFM for spaceflight.