Development, Manufacturing and Verification of Micro-Electro-Mechanical (MEM) Louvres

MAGNA STEYR Space Technology was authorised by the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop to breadboard level a low mass micro engineered device able to change the heat rejection capability of a radiator and to protect it against external radiation variations. Previous works of MAGNA in the field of thermal control systems was the thermal design, manufacturing and verification of the ROSETTA thermal Louvres [5]. Thermal Louvres in satellite applications are used for thermal control to avoid overheating of the new generation satellites by exposed or shadowed radiator area. The closing and opening of the louvers wings is performed by thermal controlled actuators. The Louvres system is designed to be controlled by solar radiation. The challenge in the project was the design, manufacturing and verification of louvers with less mass but higher efficiency than current louvers.