Development of a new multi-layer insulation blanket with non-interlayer-contact spacer for space cryogenic mission

For conventional Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) blankets, it is difficult to control the layer density and the thermal insulation performance degrades due to the increase in conductive heat leak through interlayer contacts. At low temperatures, the proportion of conductive heat transfer through MLI blankets is large compared to that of radiative heat transfer, hence the decline in thermal insulation performance is significant. A new type of MLI blanket using new spacers; the Non-Interlayer-Contact Spacer MLI (NICS MLI) has been developed. This new MLI blanket uses small discrete spacers and can exclude uncertain interlayer contact between films. It is made of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) making it suitable for space use. The cross-sectional area to length ratio of the spacer is 1.0 × 10−5 m with a 10 mm diameter and 4 mm height. The insulation performance is measured with a boil-off calorimeter. Because the NICS MLI blanket can exclude uncertain interlayer contact, the test results showed good agreement with estimations. Furthermore, the NICS MLI blanket shows significantly good insulation performance (effective emissivity is 0.0046 at ordinary temperature), particularly at low temperatures, due to the high thermal resistance of this spacer.