Thermal behavior of a cryogenic loop heat pipe for space application

► The cooldown is achieved efficiently thanks to the secondary circuit even in a severe radiation environment. ► A maximum cold power of 19 W is transferred with a corresponding limited temperature difference. ► A small heating power applied on the shunted cold reservoir allows to maintain a constant subcooling, thus the system behaves as a capillary pumped loop. ► The radiation heat loads may affect significantly the thermal response of the system.