{"id":9601,"date":"2026-11-02T11:51:27","date_gmt":"2026-11-02T10:51:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/?post_type=anwendung&#038;p=9601"},"modified":"2026-11-02T11:51:28","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T10:51:28","slug":"infrared-irradiation-for-satellites","status":"publish","type":"anwendung","link":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/application\/infrared-irradiation-for-satellites\/","title":{"rendered":"Infrared Irradiation for Satellites"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":9571,"menu_order":2,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"anwendung-kat":[86],"produkt-kat":[],"class_list":["post-9601","anwendung","type-anwendung","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","anwendung-kat-aerospace","no-featured-image-padding"],"acf":{"cpt-modules":{"":null,"description":"<strong>Defined heat loads for the development of thermal systems<\/strong>\r\n\r\nA satellite\u2019s thermal design must account for both external radiation influences and the heat generated during operation. It ensures that components can operate within their intended temperature ranges. This includes, for example, insulation, radiators, heat conduction paths and heating systems.\r\n\r\nUnder vacuum conditions, heat transfer through convection in the surrounding air is eliminated. Heat conduction through component connections and radiative heat exchange therefore shape the thermal balance. Thermal vacuum testing makes it possible to investigate system behaviour under these boundary conditions.\r\n\r\nInfrared irradiation can apply defined heat loads to the test object for suitable test tasks. BF Engineering has implemented a system of this type for the Samara Space Center.","button":null,"text":{"title":"From Heat Load to Temperature Distribution","description":"The applied radiant power alone does not fully describe a satellite\u2019s thermal behaviour. What matters is how the irradiated surfaces absorb energy and how this heat is conducted through the structure or radiated away.\r\n\r\nThe test setup therefore considers both the applied load and the response of the test object. Measurement data can be used to evaluate temperature distributions and correlate thermal calculation models with test results.","button":null},"gallery":"","references":[7528],"tabs":[{"title":"Test Objectives","description":"<strong>Evaluating the thermal behaviour of satellite structures and assemblies<\/strong>\r\n\r\nA satellite\u2019s thermal design must account for external radiation influences and the heat generated during operation. Different operating states can result in changes to temperature distributions within the system.\r\n\r\nThermal tests investigate how components, connections and larger structures respond to specified loads. The focus may be on individual temperature limits, spatial temperature differences or behaviour during changing load phases. Functional tests at defined temperature conditions complement the thermal assessment.\r\n\r\nThe configuration of the test object plays an important role: mountings, thermal connections and insulation should suit the intended test objective. Otherwise, the results may be influenced by boundary conditions that differ from those of the later application.\r\n\r\nThe measurement data supports the evaluation of the thermal design and its correlation with calculation models. Thermal vacuum tests involving hot and cold phases and accompanying functional checks are an established part of spacecraft testing.\r\n\r\nTypical areas of investigation:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Temperature distribution across structures, housings and assemblies<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Behaviour during defined hot and cold operating phases<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Influence of different electrical operating states<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Effect of thermal connections and insulation measures<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Thermally induced expansion and deformation<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Comparison of measurement data and thermal calculations<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","button":null,"image":"","tables":null},{"title":"Irradiation","description":"<strong>Applying defined infrared heat loads to the test object<\/strong>\r\n\r\nInfrared irradiation enables targeted thermal energy input. The system is designed according to which surfaces are to be exposed and which spatial and temporal load profiles are required for the test.\r\n\r\nEmitter power, distance, orientation and the surface properties of the test object are considered together. Complex geometries may require different irradiation directions. Depending on the system concept, zone-based control can help apply different setpoints to different areas.\r\n\r\nThe specification must distinguish between thermal heat-load testing and spectral solar simulation. An infrared system applies suitable heat loads. If the investigation requires an AM0 solar spectrum, the corresponding spectral requirements must be specified and verified separately.\r\n\r\nBF Engineering has implemented a high-performance infrared system for thermal testing of aerospace components and satellites at the Samara Space Center.\r\n\r\nImportant design parameters:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Required heat input on the relevant test object surfaces<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Emitter arrangement and irradiation directions<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Load profile over time<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Possible division into independently controlled zones<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Surface properties and shading<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Requirements for any additional spectral solar simulation<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","button":null,"image":"","tables":null},{"title":"System Design","description":"<strong>Planning irradiation and test object geometry together<\/strong>\r\n\r\nSatellites and their assemblies often feature different surfaces, projecting structures and sensitive attached components. This geometry influences the areas that can be irradiated and the shading between components.\r\n\r\nSystem planning therefore establishes which areas are to be directly exposed and the orientation of the test object during the test. Emitter positions, distances and mechanical supports are designed accordingly.\r\n\r\nInstallation inside a vacuum chamber introduces additional requirements. Materials, electrical components, cables and mountings must be suitable for the intended environment. Heat removal from the irradiation equipment must also be assessed under the actual operating conditions.\r\n\r\nThe test object support forms part of the thermal setup. Its contact points and cable routes can influence the thermal balance and must therefore be considered during planning.\r\n\r\nSystem design priorities:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Arrangement of emitters around the relevant test object areas<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Consideration of shading and sensitive attached components<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Defined position and orientation of the test object<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Coordination of mountings with the thermal test concept<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Suitable materials and cable routing for the test environment<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Accessibility for setup, instrumentation and maintenance<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","button":null,"image":"","tables":null},{"title":"Measurement","description":"<strong>Clearly correlating loads and temperature distributions over time<\/strong>\r\n\r\nA thermal test produces particularly useful results when the load, ambient conditions and test object state are documented together. Temperature curves must be attributable to the respective irradiation and functional phases.\r\n\r\nMeasurement points are planned around the thermally relevant areas. These may include irradiated surfaces, supporting structures, electronic assemblies and thermal interfaces. The number and position of sensors are defined according to the test purpose.\r\n\r\nThe instrumentation itself also requires attention. Inadequate sensor attachment can lead to incorrect measurements. Measurement cables can create additional heat conduction paths and therefore influence local temperatures. NASA specifically highlights these effects in thermal vacuum testing.\r\n\r\nCorrelation with the thermal model requires the test boundary conditions as well as temperature values. These include the actual test object configuration and the settings of the thermal environment.\r\n\r\nRelevant measurement and documentation parameters:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Temperatures at defined components and structures<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Irradiation setpoints and actual load phases<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Thermal conditions of the chamber environment<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Pressure profile during vacuum tests<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Electrical operating states of the test object<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Sensor positions, attachments and cable routing<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","button":null,"image":"","tables":null},{"title":"Integration","description":"<strong>Coordinating irradiation equipment with the chamber, measurement system and test controls<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThe irradiation system is considered part of the complete test setup. Its interaction with the test object support, the chamber\u2019s thermal environment and the intended test procedures is crucial.\r\n\r\nSetpoints, operating modes and required feedback signals are defined for the control system. Integration into automated test programmes also requires coordination between irradiation, chamber conditioning and test object operation.\r\n\r\nTransitions between different states require particular attention: setup, conditioning, load phase, cooling and access to the test object. The necessary enable signals and safety functions are defined within the overall concept.\r\n\r\nBF Engineering adapts the irradiation equipment to the application. Interfaces with the vacuum chamber and other system components are defined jointly with the operator and the responsible system partners.\r\n\r\nRelevant aspects of integration:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Mechanical and electrical interfaces<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Connection to controls and data acquisition<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Coordination with thermal chamber conditioning<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Vacuum-compatible feedthroughs and cable routes<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Enable signals, interlocks and fault responses<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Documented test and maintenance procedures<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","button":null,"image":"","tables":null}]},"contact-person_selection":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Infrared Irradiation for Satellites | BF Engineering<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/application\/infrared-irradiation-for-satellites\/\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bf-engineering.com\\\/en\\\/application\\\/infrared-irradiation-for-satellites\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bf-engineering.com\\\/en\\\/application\\\/infrared-irradiation-for-satellites\\\/\",\"name\":\"Infrared Irradiation for Satellites | BF Engineering\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bf-engineering.com\\\/en\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bf-engineering.com\\\/en\\\/application\\\/infrared-irradiation-for-satellites\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bf-engineering.com\\\/en\\\/application\\\/infrared-irradiation-for-satellites\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bf-engineering.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/02-satelliten-samara-original.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-11-02T10:51:27+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-11-02T10:51:28+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bf-engineering.com\\\/en\\\/application\\\/infrared-irradiation-for-satellites\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/bf-engineering.com\\\/en\\\/application\\\/infrared-irradiation-for-satellites\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bf-engineering.com\\\/en\\\/application\\\/infrared-irradiation-for-satellites\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bf-engineering.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/02-satelliten-samara-original.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bf-engineering.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/02-satelliten-samara-original.jpg\",\"width\":1024,\"height\":965},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bf-engineering.com\\\/en\\\/application\\\/infrared-irradiation-for-satellites\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bf-engineering.com\\\/en\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Applications\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bf-engineering.com\\\/en\\\/application\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Aerospace\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bf-engineering.com\\\/en\\\/application\\\/category\\\/aerospace\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"Infrared Irradiation for Satellites\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bf-engineering.com\\\/en\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bf-engineering.com\\\/en\\\/\",\"name\":\"BF Engineering\",\"description\":\"Engineering the Sun\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bf-engineering.com\\\/en\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bf-engineering.com\\\/en\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bf-engineering.com\\\/en\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"BF Engineering\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bf-engineering.com\\\/en\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bf-engineering.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bf-engineering.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/logo_bf-engineering.svg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bf-engineering.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/logo_bf-engineering.svg\",\"caption\":\"BF Engineering\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bf-engineering.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Infrared Irradiation for Satellites | BF Engineering","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/application\/infrared-irradiation-for-satellites\/","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/application\/infrared-irradiation-for-satellites\/","url":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/application\/infrared-irradiation-for-satellites\/","name":"Infrared Irradiation for Satellites | BF Engineering","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/application\/infrared-irradiation-for-satellites\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/application\/infrared-irradiation-for-satellites\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/10\/02-satelliten-samara-original.jpg","datePublished":"2026-11-02T10:51:27+00:00","dateModified":"2026-11-02T10:51:28+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/application\/infrared-irradiation-for-satellites\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/application\/infrared-irradiation-for-satellites\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/application\/infrared-irradiation-for-satellites\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/10\/02-satelliten-samara-original.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/10\/02-satelliten-samara-original.jpg","width":1024,"height":965},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/application\/infrared-irradiation-for-satellites\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Applications","item":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/application\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Aerospace","item":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/application\/category\/aerospace\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Infrared Irradiation for Satellites"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/#website","url":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/","name":"BF Engineering","description":"Engineering the Sun","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/#organization","name":"BF Engineering","url":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/logo_bf-engineering.svg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/logo_bf-engineering.svg","caption":"BF Engineering"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/anwendung\/9601","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/anwendung"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/anwendung"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/anwendung\/9601\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9614,"href":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/anwendung\/9601\/revisions\/9614"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9571"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9601"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"anwendung-kat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/anwendung-kat?post=9601"},{"taxonomy":"produkt-kat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/produkt-kat?post=9601"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}