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At least 991 records · Page 55

Topographic variations in chaos on Europa: Implications for diapiric formation

Disrupted terrain, or chaos, on Europa, might have formed through melting of a floating ice shell from a subsurface ocean [Cam et al., 1998; Greenberg et al., 19991, or breakup by diapirs rising from the warm lower portion of the ice shell [Head and Pappalardo, 1999; Collins et al., 20001. Each model makes specific and testable predictions for topographic expression within chaos and relative to surrounding terrains on local and regional scales. High-resolution stereo-controlled photoclinometric topography indicates that chaos topography, including the archetypal Conamara Chaos region, is uneven and commonly higher than surrounding plains by up to 250 m. Elevated and undulating topography is more consistent with diapiric uplift of deep material in a relatively thick ice shell, rather than melt-through and refreezing of regionally or globally thin ice by a subsurface ocean. Vertical and horizontal scales of topographic doming in Conamara Chaos are consistent with a total ice shell thickness >15 km. Contact between Europa's ocean and surface may most likely be indirectly via diapirism or convection.

Schenk, Paul M.↗

Low-Speed Dynamic Wind Tunnel Test Analysis of a Generic 53 Degree Swept UCAV Configuration With Controls

Several static and dynamic forced-motion wind tunnel tests have been conducted on a generic unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) configuration with a 53deg swept leading edge. These tests are part of an international research effort to assess and advance the state-of-art of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods to predict the static and dynamic stability and control characteristics for this type of configuration. This paper describes the dynamic forced motion data collected from two different models of this UCAV configuration as well as analysis of the control surface deflections on the dynamic forces and moments.

Vicroy, Dan D.↗

SMAP Mission Status, New Products, and Extended-Phase Goals

NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) Project now has completed its prime-phase (three years) mission and has entered a new five-year extended phase. The global L-band radiometry from SMAP has enabled diverse scientific investigations in water, energy and carbon cycle research, terrestrial ecology and ocean science. These include eliciting the role of soil moisture control on the evaporation regime and vegetation gross primary productivity, observing soil-vegetation continuum water relations, analysis of flood and droughts, climate modeling and weather prediction, detecting ocean high-winds during tropical storms, and observing fresh-water outflow in coastal oceans. This paper highlights the recent enhancements to the SMAP suite of science products (from instrument level-1 to geophysical retrievals level-2 and level-3).

NASA Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP)↗

Urban SAFE50: Modeling, Controlling, and Testing Safe UAS Operations in Low Altitude Settings

The research and development of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) are quickly progressing as industries and hobbyist societies recognize their utility. NASA is focused on the technology development and safety considerations surrounding commercial use of UAVs. Urban SAFE50 (Safe Autonomous Flight Environment within the notional last 50 feet of operation of 55 pound class UAS (Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems)) is focused on the necessary real-­time decision algorithms and flight models prevalent in low-­altitude, high-­density city environments. Construction of on-­board controls to respond to motor failure and wind dynamics as well as a database of computational flight models and battery discharge profiles will help policymakers to predict and regulate unmanned aircraft flight safely and effectively.

SAFE↗

Cloud Influence on ERA5 and AMPS Surface Downwelling Longwave Radiation Biases in West Antarctica

The surface downwelling longwave radiation component (LW[down arrow]) is crucial for the determination of the surface energy budget and has significant implications for the resilience of ice surfaces in the polar regions. Accurate model evaluation of this radiation component requires knowledge about the phase, vertical distribution, and associated temperature of water in the atmosphere, all of which control the LW[down arrow] signal measured at the surface. In this study, we examine the LW[down arrow] model errors found in the Antarctic Mesoscale Prediction System (AMPS) operational forecast model and the ERA5 reanalysis model relative to observations from the AWARE campaign at McMurdo Station and the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) Divide. The errors are calculated separately for observed clear-sky conditions, ice-cloud occurrences, and liquid-bearing cloud layer (LBCL) occurrences. The analysis results show a tendency in both models at each site to underestimate the LW[down arrow] during clear sky conditions, high error variability (standard deviations > 20 W/m[exp2]) during any type of cloud occurrence, and negative LW biases when LBCLs are observed (bias magnitudes > 15 W/m[exp2] in tenuous LBCL cases; > 43 W/m[exp2] in optically thick/opaque LBCLs instances). We suggest that a generally dry and liquid-deficient atmosphere responsible for the identified LW[down arrow] biases in both models is the result of excessive ice formation and growth, which could stem from model initial and lateral boundary conditions, microphysics scheme, aerosol representation, and/or limited vertical resolution.

Israel Silber↗

InSight orbit determination

The InSight mission relied on accurate deep-space navigation for a successful Mars landing on November 26, 2018. In this paper, we discuss the role of the cruise Orbit Determination team, whose responsibilities included determining the spacecraft state, predicting the future trajectory, and quantifying the uncertainty associated with those estimates. In particular, we will focus on spacecraft dynamic modeling, small forces due to attitude control, radiometric tracking data, filter strategies, uncertainty quantification, and responses to unexpected flight situations. We will also provide analysis of reconstructed maneuvers, small forces, and delivery accuracy at Mars arrival.

Seubert, Jill↗

Single and Multi-Node Modeling of Direct, Submerged, and Self-Pressurization of A Cryogenic Propellant Tank Using Nodal Tools

The pressurization of cryogenic propellant tanks will always be an important process so long as cryogenic liquids are being considered as fuel sources or used for other in-space applications. Pressure control of the tank ullage is necessary for managing propellant flowrates to an engine or a receiver tank, and modeling of the process is used to predict the pressurant requirements and the amount of propellant boiloff. Direct ullage pressurization is the more traditional approach to tank pressurization, as the physics are straight-forward, and ample test (flight) data have been collected and analyzed over the past several decades. Submerged injection pressurization is an alternate method for tank pressurization and has been shown to reduce pressurant requirements, subcool the propellant, and reduce the risk of ullage collapse. Additionally, the pressurant gas entering the ullage is usually much colder when using the submerged pressurization approach, resulting in reduced propellant boiloff. These benefits are at the expense of vaporizing a small percentage of the propellent. Both tank pressurization methods are viable options for current and future space missions, and it is important to have the capability of analyzing the tank ullage conditions for both approaches. Our previous work has demonstrated the development of a Generalized Fluid System Simulation Program (GFSSP) model, which contains a thermodynamic equilibrium heat and mass transfer subroutine capable of effectively analyzing both direct and submerged pressurization systems [1-2]. This subroutine has most recently been enhanced to include the non-equilibrium effect of pressurant dissolution into the propellant. To date the ullage has always been represented as a single node, and although the simulated single-node temperatures have good comparison with the volume-averaged ullage temperatures computed from test data, the physics of the thermal stratification in the ullage were never captured, and adjustment factors in the model were required. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the development of a multi-node ullage model using GFSSP and to discuss the improvements of the simulated ullage temperature distribution and its resulting effects on ullage heat transfer processes. Test data from the Cryogenic Propellant Storage and Transfer Engineering Developmental Unit (CPST EDU) was used for model validation. For additional comparison, a Thermal Desktop (TD) model was also developed to analyze the CPST EDU direct ullage pressurization tests using both a single node and multi-node approach. The model includes the direct pressurant line, vent line, fill/drain line, and a TD FloCAD Compartment. The TD FloCAD Compartment is employed to represent the liquid and ullage as single volumes inside the tank, to include a liquid/vapor interface, and to generate network level objects such as lumps (analogous to nodes in GFSSP), paths, and ties between the fluid and thermal elements. An established heat load on the model tank was leveraged from a pre-existing higher-fidelity model correlated to CPST EDU test data.

pressurization↗

Escarpment evolution on high-elevation rifted margins: Insights derived from a surface processes model that combines diffusion, advection and reaction

Experiments with a surface processes model of large-scale (1-1000 km) long-term (1-100 m.y.) erosional denudation are used to establish the controls on the evolution of a model escarpment that is related to the rifting of a continent. The mdoel describes changes in topographic form as a result of sumultaneous short- and long-range mass transport representing hillslope (diffusive) processes and fluvial transport (advection), repsectively. Fluvial entrainment is modeled as a first-order kinetic reaction which reflects the erodibility of the substrate, and therefore the fluvial system is not necessarily carrying at capacity. One dimensional and planform models demonstrate that the principal controls on the evolution of an initially steep model escarpment are (1) antecedent topography/drainage; (2) the timesale (or equivalently a length scale) in the fluvial entrainment reaction; (3) the flexural response of the lithosphere to denudation; and (4) the relative efficiencies of the short- and long-range transport processes. When rainfall and substrate lithology are uniform, a significant amount of discharge draining over the escarpment top causes it to degrade. Only when the top of the model escarpment coincides with a drainage divide can escarpment retreat occur for these conditions. An additional requirement for retreat of a model escarpment without decline is a long reaction time scale for fluvial entrainment. This corresponds to a substrate that is hard to detach by flucial erosion, and therefore to fluvial erosion that is not transport limited. Coninuous backtilting of an escarpment due ot flexural isostatic uplift in response to denudational unloading helps maintain the scarp top as a divide. It is essntial if the escarpment gradient is to be preserved during retreat in a uniform lithology. Low flexural rigidieties propote steep and slowly retreating escarpments. For given rainfall and substrate conditions, the morphology of a retraeating model escarpment is determined by the ratio of hte short-range diffusive and long range advective transport efficiencies. A low ration (which is interpreted to correspond to a more humid, temperate climate) produces a convex upper slope, and concave lower slope morphology and only major escarpments are predicted to preserve a high scarp gradient. Lithological contrasts in hte model produce more complex morphologies and predict the formation of scarps crowned by an erosionaly resistant caprock. However, resistant caprocks are not an essential requirement for model scarps to retreat. We conclude that the inferred controls and model behavior are both consistent with the present-day morphology of rifted continental margins and with modern conceptual models of landscape evolution.

Kooi, Henk↗

Boreal Winter Predictions with the GEOS-2 GCM: The Role of Boundary Forcing and Initial Conditions

Ensembles of atmospheric General Circulation Model (GCM) seasonal forecasts and long-term simulations (1980-94) are analyzed to assess the controlling influences of boundary forcing and memory of the initial conditions. Both the forecasts and simulations are carried out with version 2 of the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS-2) GCM forced with observed sea surface temperatures (SSTs). While much of the focus is on the seasonal time scale (January- March) and the Pacific North American (PNA) region, we also present results for other regions, shorter time scales, and other known modes of variability in the northern hemisphere extratropics. Forecasts of indices of some of the key large-scale modes of variability show that there is considerable variability in skill between different regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The eastern North Atlantic region has the poorest long lead forecast skill showing no skill beyond about 10 days. Skillful seasonal forecasts are primarily confined to the wave-like ENSO response emanating from the tropical Pacific. In the Northern Hemisphere, this is associated with the well-known Pacific/North American (PNA) pattern. Memory of the initial conditions is the major factor leading to skillful extratropical forecasts of lead time less than one month, while SST forcing is the only factor at the seasonal time scale. SST forcing contributes to skillful forecasts at sub- seasonal time scales only over the PNA region. The GEOS-2 GCM produces average (1980-94) signal to noise ratios which are less than one everywhere in the extratropics, except for the subtropical Pacific where they approach 1.5. When confined to the ENSO years, the maximum signal to noise ratios occur in the PNA region where they exceed three. An assessment of the sampling distribution of the forecasts suggests the model's ENSO response is very likely too weak. These results show some sensitivity to the uncertainties in the estimates of the SST forcing fields. In the North Pacific region, the sensitivity to SST forcing manifests itself primarily as changes in the variability of the PNA response, underscoring the need for an ensemble approach to the seasonal prediction problem.

Chang, Yehui↗

The Komplast Experiment: Space Environmental Effects after 12 Years in LEO (and Counting)

The Komplast materials experiment was designed by the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, together with other Russian scientific institutes, and has been carried out by Mission Control Moscow since 18. Komplast panels fitted with material samples and sensors were located on the International Space Station (ISS) Functional Cargo Block (FGB) module exterior surface. Within the framework of this experiment, the purpose was to study the effect of the low earth orbit (LEO) environment on exposed samples of various materials. The panels were sent into orbit with the FGB when it launched on November 20, 1998. Panels #2 and #10 were retrieved during Russian extravehicular activity in February 2011 and sealed within cases to temporarily protect the samples from exposure to air until they could be studied on the ground. Panel #2 contained an experiment to detect micrometeoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) impacts, radiation and UV sensors, several pieces of electrical cable, and samples made from elastomeric and fluoroplastic materials. Panel #10 contained a temperature sensor, and both carbon composite and adhesive-bonded samples. A figure shows the location of panels #2 and #10 on the FGB module aft endcone. The panels were subsequently returned to Earth by Space Shuttle Discovery on the STS-133/ULF-5 mission after 12 years of LEO exposure and opened in an argon chamber at the Institute of Nuclear Physics at Moscow State University in July 2011. Based on the results of analyzing the readings from sensors located on Komplast panels and in studying material samples from the panels, the comprehensive effect of spaceflight factors on the FGB (at the locations of Panels #2 and #10) was evaluated. Total solar exposure was determined to be 960 +/- 200 kJ/square cm or 21,000 equivalent solar hours. Because of location of these two panels and the ISS flight attitude, atomic oxygen (AO) fluence was relatively low for such a long duration exposure, approximately 1.5x10 (exp 21) O atoms/sq. cm. Most of the AO fluence occurred during the early phase of ISS assembly. Temperatures ranged from a maximum of 107 C to a minimum of -80 C. The MMOD environment was determined, as is shown. Interestingly, the distribution of craters and low-velocity impact particles observed in the 5-50 micron size range was approx 2-3 orders of magnitude higher than that predicted by the ORDEM2000 model of natural and artificial origin microparticles in the ISS orbit. Contamination observations were also made, through the evaluation of optical properties on thermal control coatings and by the examination of visible deposits located near several samples on the panels, primarily from elastomeric samples. These elastomer samples were extensively investigated for their physical property changes and sealing capability. In addition, 16 samples of adhesive-bonded joints using three types of epoxy adhesive were evaluated studying fracture toughness, failure surface, and adhesive volume properties. Both rubber and adhesive-bonded specimens also underwent additional (post-flight) ground-based exposures to simulate a total 30 years in LEO prior to their evaluation. Overall, results indicate that space environmental effects will not adversely impact the service life of the FGB through 2028. Our investigation is complete and a summary of the results obtained from this uniquely long-duration exposure experiment will be presented.

Shaevich, S. K.↗

Comparison of flight measurements with predictions from aeroelastic models in the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel

The NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel, which has a variable density, Freon-12 (or air) test medium, was designed to study the dynamics and aeroelastic problems of aerospace vehicles. During the operation of this facility there have been various opportunities to compare wind tunnel and flight test results. Some of these opportunities arise from routine flight checks of the prototype, others from carefully designed comparative wind tunnel and flight experiments. A collection of data obtained from various published and unpublished sources is presented. The topics covered are: gust and buffet response, control surface effectiveness, flutter, and active control of aeroelastic effects. Some benefits and shortcomings of Freon-12 as a test medium are also discussed. Although areas of uncertainty are evident and there is a continuing need for improvements in model simulation and testing techniques, the results presented herein indicate that predictions from aeroelastic model tests are, in general, substantiated by full-scale flight tests.

Reed, W. H., III↗

Jarosite Formation in Deep Antarctic Ice, an Earth Analogue to Unveil the Origin of Jarosite on Mars?

On Earth, jarosite is a weathering product forming in acidic-oxidative environments from the alteration of iron-bearing minerals in presence of liquid water. Typical settings where this iron-potassium hydrated sulphate is found, are weathering zones of pyrite-rich deposits, evaporative basins and fumaroles. Jarosite is not only known on Earth, it also occurs on Mars, where it has been identified by the Opportunity rover. The mineral was in fact recognized in the finely layered formations outcropping at Meridiani Planum and that were accurately investigated by the rover (Klingelhöfer et al. 2004). Since jarosite requires liquid water to form, its occurrence on Mars has been regarded as an evidence for the occurrence of liquid water in the geologic past of Mars (Elwood-Madden et al., 2004). Since then, many models have been proposed to describe the environments where the precipitation of Martian jarosite took place. The most accepted ones deal with evaporative basins similar to Earth’s playas, others concern volcanic activity and hydrothermal processes. An alternative proposal predicted that jarosite may have formed as a consequence of weathering of mineral dust trapped in massive ice deposits, i.e. the ice-weathering model (Niles & Michalsky, 2009). The hypothesis that jarosite formed on Mars because of low-temperature, acidic and water limited weathering, is not new (Burns, 1987), but until now no direct evidences were available to support it.A potential Earth analogue to investigate such processes is deep Antarctic ice. We present a first investigation of deep ice samples from the Talos Dome ice core (East Antarctica) aimed at the identification of englacial jarosite, so as to support the ice-weathering model. Evidences gathered through independent techniques showed that jarosite is actually present in deep Antarctic ice and results from the weathering of dust trapped into ice. The process is controlled by the re-crystallization of ice grains and the concurrent re-location of impurities at grain-junctions, which both depend on ice depth. This study demonstrates that the deep englacial environment is suitable for jarosite precipitation. Our findings support the hypothesis that, as originally predicted by the ice-weathering model, paleo ice-related processes have been important in thegeologic and geochemical history of Mars.

Lindsay P Keller↗

Prognostics of Power Mosfets Under Thermal Stress Accelerated Aging Using Data-Driven and Model-Based Methodologies

An approach for predicting remaining useful life of power MOSFETs (metal oxide field effect transistor) devices has been developed. Power MOSFETs are semiconductor switching devices that are instrumental in electronics equipment such as those used in operation and control of modern aircraft and spacecraft. The MOSFETs examined here were aged under thermal overstress in a controlled experiment and continuous performance degradation data were collected from the accelerated aging experiment. Dieattach degradation was determined to be the primary failure mode. The collected run-to-failure data were analyzed and it was revealed that ON-state resistance increased as die-attach degraded under high thermal stresses. Results from finite element simulation analysis support the observations from the experimental data. Data-driven and model based prognostics algorithms were investigated where ON-state resistance was used as the primary precursor of failure feature. A Gaussian process regression algorithm was explored as an example for a data-driven technique and an extended Kalman filter and a particle filter were used as examples for model-based techniques. Both methods were able to provide valid results. Prognostic performance metrics were employed to evaluate and compare the algorithms.

Electrolytic capacitors↗

Simulation of the Effect of Realistic Space Vehicle Environments on Binary Metal Alloys

Simulations that assess the effect of space vehicle acceleration environments on the solidification of Pb-Sb alloys are reported. Space microgravity missions are designed to provide a near zero-g acceleration environment for various types of scientific experiments. Realistically. these space missions cannot provide a perfect environment. Vibrations caused by crew activity, on-board experiments, support systems stems (pumps, fans, etc.), periodic orbital maneuvers, and water dumps can all cause perturbations to the microgravity environment. In addition, the drag on the space vehicle is a source of acceleration. Therefore, it is necessary to predict the impact of these vibration-perturbations and the steady-state drag acceleration on the experiments. These predictions can be used to design mission timelines. so that the experiment is run during times that the impact of the acceleration environment is acceptable for the experiment of interest. The simulations reported herein were conducted using a finite element model that includes mass, species, momentum, and energy conservation. This model predicts the existence of "channels" within the processing mushy zone and subsequently "freckles" within the fully processed solid, which are the effects of thermosolutal convection. It is necessary to mitigate thermosolutal convection during space experiments of metal alloys, in order to study and characterize diffusion-controlled transport phenomena (microsegregation) that are normally coupled with macrosegregation. The model allows simulation of steady-state and transient acceleration values ranging from no acceleration (0 g). to microgravity conditions (10(exp -6) to 10(exp -3) g), to terrestrial gravity conditions (1 g). The transient acceleration environments simulated were from the STS-89 SpaceHAB mission and from the STS-94 SpaceLAB mission. with on-orbit accelerometer data during different mission periods used as inputs for the simulation model. Periods of crew exercise, quiet (no crew activity), and nominal conditions from STS-89 were used as simulation inputs as were periods of nominal. overboard water-dump, and free-drift (no orbit maneuvering operations) from STS-94. Steady-state acceleration environments of 0.0 and 10(exp -6) to 10(exp -1) g were also simulated, to serve as a comparison to the transient data and to assess an acceptable magnitude for the steady-state vehicle drag

Westra, Douglas G.↗

Stability Analysis of the Slowed-Rotor Compound Helicopter Configuration

The stability and control of rotors at high advance ratio are considered. Teetering, articulated, gimbaled, and rigid hub types are considered for a compound helicopter (rotor and fixed wing). Stability predictions obtained using an analytical rigid flapping blade analysis, a rigid blade CAMRAD II model, and an elastic blade CAMRAD II model are compared. For the flapping blade analysis, the teetering rotor is the most stable, 5howing no instabilities up to an advance ratio of 3 and a Lock number of 18. With an elastic blade model, the teetering rotor is unstable at an advance ratio of 1.5. Analysis of the trim controls and blade flapping shows that for small positive collective pitch, trim can be maintained without excessive control input or flapping angles.

Johnson, Wayne↗

Research and Applications in Aeroelasticity and Structural Dynamics at the NASA Langley Research Center

An overview of recently completed programs in aeroelasticity and structural dynamics research at the NASA Langley Research Center is presented. Methods used to perform flutter clearance studies in the wind-tunnel on a high performance fighter are discussed. Recent advances in the use of smart structures and controls to solve aeroelastic problems, including flutter and gust response are presented. An aeroelastic models program designed to support an advanced high speed civil transport is described. An extension to transonic small disturbance theory that better predicts flows involving separation and reattachment is presented. The results of a research study to determine the effects of flexibility on the taxi and takeoff characteristics of a high speed civil transport are presented. The use of photogrammetric methods aboard Space Shuttle to measure spacecraft dynamic response is discussed. Issues associated with the jitter response of multi-payload spacecraft are discussed. Finally a Space Shuttle flight experiment that studied the control of flexible spacecraft is described.

Abel, Irving↗

Prediction of Aerodynamic Coefficient using Genetic Algorithm Optimized Neural Network for Sparse Data

Wind tunnels use scale models to characterize aerodynamic coefficients, Wind tunnel testing can be slow and costly due to high personnel overhead and intensive power utilization. Although manual curve fitting can be done, it is highly efficient to use a neural network to define the complex relationship between variables. Numerical simulation of complex vehicles on the wide range of conditions required for flight simulation requires static and dynamic data. Static data at low Mach numbers and angles of attack may be obtained with simpler Euler codes. Static data of stalled vehicles where zones of flow separation are usually present at higher angles of attack require Navier-Stokes simulations which are costly due to the large processing time required to attain convergence. Preliminary dynamic data may be obtained with simpler methods based on correlations and vortex methods; however, accurate prediction of the dynamic coefficients requires complex and costly numerical simulations. A reliable and fast method of predicting complex aerodynamic coefficients for flight simulation I'S presented using a neural network. The training data for the neural network are derived from numerical simulations and wind-tunnel experiments. The aerodynamic coefficients are modeled as functions of the flow characteristics and the control surfaces of the vehicle. The basic coefficients of lift, drag and pitching moment are expressed as functions of angles of attack and Mach number. The modeled and training aerodynamic coefficients show good agreement. This method shows excellent potential for rapid development of aerodynamic models for flight simulation. Genetic Algorithms (GA) are used to optimize a previously built Artificial Neural Network (ANN) that reliably predicts aerodynamic coefficients. Results indicate that the GA provided an efficient method of optimizing the ANN model to predict aerodynamic coefficients. The reliability of the ANN using the GA includes prediction of aerodynamic coefficients to an accuracy of 110% . In our problem, we would like to get an optimized neural network architecture and minimum data set. This has been accomplished within 500 training cycles of a neural network. After removing training pairs (outliers), the GA has produced much better results. The neural network constructed is a feed forward neural network with a back propagation learning mechanism. The main goal has been to free the network design process from constraints of human biases, and to discover better forms of neural network architectures. The automation of the network architecture search by genetic algorithms seems to have been the best way to achieve this goal.

Rajkumar, T.↗

Thermal Design and Thermal Vacuum Testing of the StarBurst Instrument

The StarBurst Multimessenger Pioneer is a small satellite mission serving as a wide-field gamma-ray observatory designed to capture the initial emissions of short gamma-ray bursts, electromagnetic signatures of neutron star mergers. This paper presents the final thermal design and analysis of the StarBurst Instrument, comprising the bus-to-instrument interface plate, control electronics, and twelve crystal detector units, which form the core of the mission’s science capability. The passive thermal control system design requires consideration of restrictive keep-out zones, unknown orbital parameters, and narrow temperature limits of the detectors. Also summarized is the instrument level thermal vacuum cycle test, correlated model refinements, and updated model results. Following successful completion of the instrument test campaign, the hardware was integrated with the spacecraft bus for spacecraft level testing, including additional thermal vacuum testing. The results from the spacecraft level thermal vacuum test will further inform the instrument thermal model, ensuring accurate flight temperature predictions. StarBurst launches as a secondary payload in 2027 and has a mission duration of at least one year.

StarBurst↗