Environmental (thermal) testing of space instrumentation: The GLAST example

Space-bound scientific instruments are subjected to extensive ground testing before launch to ensure successful launch and on-orbit operation. This is a radical departure from testing terrestrial laboratory instruments since these instruments typically operate in a more benign environment, and are generally accessible for repair during their useful life. Among the various tests conducted for space environmental testing are thermal, structural (including vibration and acoustic) and electromagnetic interference (EMI). While all these tests are important, this paper concentrates only on the thermal tests.The intent of this paper is to provide a description of ground environmental thermal testing requirements necessary for successful launch and operation of space scientific instruments. This paper summarizes the scope, objectives and value for the various levels of thermal tests commonly performed on space-bound instrumentation, using Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST) as an example.