Thermal analysis of a reflective baffle designed for space applications

The implementation and results from thermal mathematical modelling of a Stavroudis-type reflective baffle for the BepiColombo laser altimeter (BELA) are presented. BELA and other instruments on board the European Space Agency's Mercury Planetary Orbiter are exposed to a harsh environment in Mercury orbit. This environment is briefly discussed and the detailed design solution for the baffle is presented. Special attention has been paid to the implementation of the thermal model because specific approximations were required. The results of the thermal mathematical models show the temperature behaviour in orbit and the feasibility of the solution. The work has applications to future missions which will go inside the orbit of Venus (e.g. ESA's Solar Orbiter).