Thermal Model for a Mars Instrument with Thermo-electric Cooled Focal Plane

Abstract

Two thermal models have been developed for a low mass (1.5 kg) Mars rover arm candidate instrument that employs a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) to cool a CCD focal plane. The Mineral Identification and Composition Analyzer (MICA) is a miniature instrument that employs X-ray scattering and visual imaging to determine nondestructively the mineralogy of a rock sample in-situ. Both thermal models incorporate the key components of MICA's CCD subsystem -CCD, heat sink, and lower radiator. The System Model includes the instrument's internal heat sources, including electronics, X-ray source, TEC dissipation, and the extreme diurnal temperature excursions of the ambient Martian atmosphere (-175 K to 255 K) and sky (-130 K to 200 K), convection (wind), and solar / IR radiation. The CCD Subsystem Model includes a passive thermal switch that provides heat sink cool-down by night and isolation by day. With or without the heat switch, TEC operation provides extended life for data collection at the upper end of the CCD operating range, ~ 208 K. Model parameter variation allows the instrument designer to optimize thermal capacities, thermal resistances, and internal heater power to hold critical electronics and mechanical components within their temperature operating limits. The charting feature of either model provides mechanical design guidance to ensure acceptable conditions for data collection over the experiment timeline.