Improvement of the calibration process of heat flux sensors for space devices' thermal-volume tests

Presents the results of the analysis and improvement of the calibration process of heat flux sensors for thermal vacuum tests of spacecraft based on the application of Failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) and the KOMPAS-3D three-dimensional design system. According to the results of the FMEA-analysis, corrective actions were implemented to improve the calibration process of the heat flux sensors and the design of the tooling. A number of field tests were carried out and the readings of resistance thermometers on a thermostating plate were presented before the process of calibration of heat flux sensors was improved and after it was improved. The main direction of further use of the intended results is the development of recommendations and proposals for improving the calibration of sensors for testing rocket and space technology based on modern engineering methods, such as analysis of measuring systems (MSA) and the deployment of quality functions (QFD).