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Effective emittance was measured for four Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) blankets designed for Space Station fluid lines. Blanket #2 was built for a 25.4 mm line; Blankets #1, 3 and 4, were built for 12.7 mm lines. Blankets #3 and 4 minimized flap material to reduce heat loss. Blankets #1, 2, and 3 had aluminized inner surfaces; Blanket 4 had a Kapton inner surface. All measured effective emittance values were within 30% of similar Orbiter MLI. Blanket #3 effective emittance values ranged from 0.056 to 0.080 for 47 to -43°C lines, demonstrating improvement from reducing flap material.

The Parallel Fin Thermal Interface has been developed as an Orbital Replaceable Unit (ORU) interface. The interface transfers heat from an ORU baseplate to a Heat Acquisition Plate (HAP) through pairs of fins sandwiched between insert plates that press against the fins with uniform pressure. The insert plates are spread apart for ORU baseplate separation and replacement. Two prototype interfaces with different fin dimensions were built (Model 140 and 380). Interfacing surface samples were found to have roughnesses of 56 to 89 nm (22 to 35 μ-in.). Conductance values of 267 to 420 W/m2-°C (47 to 74 Btu/hr-ft2-°F) were obtained for the 140 model in vacuum with interface pressures of 131 to 262 kPa (19 to 38 psi). Vacuum conductances ranging from 176 to 267 W/m2-°F (31 to 47 Btu/hr-ft2-°F) were obtained for the 380 model at interface pressures of 97 to 152 kPa (14 and 22 psi).