The Surveyor Thermal Switch

Abstract

The extemal temperatme extremes of the lunar swjace dictated that a means be found to control the two electronic compartments on the Surveyot soft lunar landing vehicle within a narrower temperatme band to assure satisfactory component pmjonnance. Accordingly, thermal switches were developed to conduct heat away from temperature-sensitive components while heat-generating components were operating during the lunar day, and to retain heat at night when the equipment was off. Future equipment required to vary thermal conductivities, should this principle be employed, can benefit greatly from the results of the many problems encountered and studies made.