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The BSTCA (Battery Section Thermal Control Assembly) is a module of the Columbus MTFF (Man Tended Free Flyer). Electrical power required during eclipse periods, is made available from six nickel hydrogen batteries. A sophisticated multi-radiator configuration, with a hybrid heat pipe network, has evolved. Autonomous control of the assembly heat rejection capability has been achieved by a integrated network of LTHP's (Liquid Trap Heat Pipes) and CCHP's (Constant Conductance Heat Pipes) under the control of a conventional HCU (Heater Control Unit). The process of design selection and verification is discussed, for the BSTCA, with a detailed LTHP component presentation.

The thermal control subsystem of the Columbus Resource Module has to cope with an unusual variety of orbit attitudes, mission modes and configurations. A short overview over the past RM thermal concepts is given and the present thermal design is described in detail. A passive concept with extensive use of heatpipes configured as network is baselined. The low available heater power in conjunction with the significant dissipation variations of th NiH2 batteries require there a very effective heat rejection control concept. A new regulation concept has been selected which allows to switch off up to 75% of the battery radiator area by use of Liquid Trap Heatpipes. The verification concept which does not use system level testing is briefly described.