The NewATHENA X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) requires a cryogenic precooler capable of providing significant heat lift at both 4.5 K and 20 K. To increase the design maturity and identify key technical risks of a candidate Engineering Model (EM) and Flight Model (FM) cryocooler, a Demonstration Model (DM) phase was awarded to Northrop Grumman. Northrop Grumman’s approach to providing the...
Next generation Astrophysics Science Missions seek to interrogate the Far-IR and X-ray wavelengths requiring ADR cooled detectors to 100 mK or less. Operation of these ADR systems requires efficient thermal rejection at 4-5 K coupled with observatory cooling needs at 4-5 K and parasitic load interception at nominally 20 K. One example is the ESA Athena Mission that focuses on X-ray...
The ETpathfinder (ETPF) is a scaled prototype of the Einstein Telescope gravitational wave observatory, developed to validate and advance the technologies required for next-generation detection. It features two Fabry–Perot Michelson interferometer arms cooled by liquid nitrogen (LN₂), with one arm requiring additional cooling to approximately 10 K. Because third-generation laser-interferometry...
To mature the cryocooling system for the Probe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics (PRIMA) mission concept, a closed-loop JT stage using flight-like residual hardware from the JWST program was assembled to assess its cooling capacity at 4.5 K. The performance of the JT stage over a range of heat sink temperatures and system pressures was characterized. The paper presents test results without...
