Numerical study on Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer thermal response under adjustment process of International Space Station flying attitude with the key angle variable

The thermal environment of the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer installed on the International Space Station was found to be affected by its attitude adjustment causing temperature anomalies. In previous studies, the abnormal temperature responses and the corresponding control measures were studied systematically, but the influence of the attitude adjustment process with the key angle variable was not considered adequately. Here we report a numerical study of the exterior heat flow and temperature responses of the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer during the attitude adjustment process of the International Space Station, along with the thermal control effect on temperature anomalies caused by the key angle variable that determines the flight attitude. As results, the change process of the key angle variable determining the flight attitude may cause a maximum exterior heat flow difference of 479.28 W/m2 and a temperature difference of 46.03 °C, respectively, and even inducing temperature anomalies occurring in a time range from 4619 s to 37641 s. The existing temperature control measure that rotates the International Space Station starboard radiator exhibits different effects with the variation of the angle variable. Among them, 67.6% of the temperature anomaly cases can be suppressed, suggesting the possibility of further thermal control in orbit.