Development of the mechanical cryocooler system for the Sea Land Surface Temperature Radiometer

•We present an overview of the design of the CryoCooler System (CCS) for the Sentinel-3 satellites.•We describe a number of tests performed during the Engineering Model (EM) CCS test campaign.•Exported microvibration, force and torque, requirements are met.•Cryogenic temperature stability requirements are met.•Improved design on flight models to address excess power consumption.

The Sea Land Surface Temperature Radiometer is a dual view Earth observing instrument developed as part of the European Global Monitoring for Environment and Security programme. It is scheduled for launch on two satellites, Sentinel 3A and 3B in 2014. The instrument detectors are cooled to below 85 K by two split Stirling Cryocoolers running in hot redundancy. These coolers form part of a cryocooler system that includes a support structure and drive electronics. Aspects of the system design, including control and reduction of exported vibration are discussed; and results, including thermal performance and exported vibration from the Engineering Model Cryooler System test campaign are presented.