Miniature Mechanically Pumped Loop for Standardized Small-Satellite Thermal Control: In-Orbit Demonstration Model Development and Qualification

With the rapid growth of the space economy, the demand for increasingly high-performance satellites has risen significantly. The need for increased performance is typically accompanied by higher power consumption, leading to elevated heat generation and challenging thermal environments onboard spacecraft, particularly for small satellites with limited thermal margins. As a result, new thermal control concepts are required to accommodate higher heat loads and heat fluxes while remaining compatible with small-satellite constraints.
This work presents the next development stage of a novel thermal control concept: the mini Mechanically Pumped Loop (miniMPL). The miniMPL is intended as a standardized thermal control solution for small satellites and is designed to be lightweight, power-efficient, and inherently redundant, while maintaining orbit-independent performance.
We report on the design, manufacturing, and qualification testing of the first flight model of the miniMPL, developed for an in-orbit technology demonstration scheduled for launch later this year. The flight model has successfully completed a comprehensive environmental test campaign, including vibration, electromagnetic compatibility, and thermal vacuum testing, demonstrating its readiness for spaceflight.