Sunpower cryocooler in RHESSI Satellite on orbit and operating for over 14 years

  • Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Congratulations to the RHESSI satellite which has just passed its 14th year on Orbit! Originally planned for a 2 year mission, the Sunpower cryocooler has exceeded NASA expectations and continues to provide cooling power to the germanium detector, which allows valuable scientific data on solar flares to be collected and analyzed.

Fourteen years is a long time for anything to continue working, especially something that oscillates at 60 Hz. This means the piston inside the Sunpower cryocooler has cycled over 26 billion times. As periodic oil changes can't happen in space, it does this without oil to provide lubrication between the piston and piston wall. Instead, we rely on gas bearings which provide a thin protective layer of gas to prevent collisions, which have been working very well.

Sunpower CryoTel cryocoolers are ideal for non-space applications as well. We currently serve over 26 different applications. Our cryocoolers are the most efficient cryocoolers on the market, and thanks to our unique gas bearing design, also the most reliable. Please contact us to discuss how we might help you in your cryogenic application.


CryoTel cryocoolers-

 

performance. efficiency. reliability.


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Sunpower cryocooler in RHESSI Satellite on orbit and operating for over 14 years

  • Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Congratulations to the RHESSI satellite which has just passed its 14th year on Orbit! Originally planned for a 2 year mission, the Sunpower cryocooler has exceeded NASA expectations and continues to provide cooling power to the germanium detector, which allows valuable scientific data on solar flares to be collected and analyzed.

Fourteen years is a long time for anything to continue working, especially something that oscillates at 60 Hz. This means the piston inside the Sunpower cryocooler has cycled over 26 billion times. As periodic oil changes can't happen in space, it does this without oil to provide lubrication between the piston and piston wall. Instead, we rely on gas bearings which provide a thin protective layer of gas to prevent collisions, which have been working very well.

Sunpower CryoTel cryocoolers are ideal for non-space applications as well. We currently serve over 26 different applications. Our cryocoolers are the most efficient cryocoolers on the market, and thanks to our unique gas bearing design, also the most reliable. Please contact us to discuss how we might help you in your cryogenic application.


CryoTel cryocoolers-

 

performance. efficiency. reliability.