MASCOT thermal subsystem design challenges and solutionfor contrasting requirements

The MASCOT thermal subsystem design is challenging due to the small size of the lander and the multiple requirements for each mission phase. Evaluation of the requirements and trade-off analysis led to assessment of different technologies and approaches, finalized only thanks to a detailed thermal design and analysis phase, an extensive testing campaign, selection of innovative solutions and technologies, development of ad-hoc heat pipe system. After several thermal vacuum campaigns, MASCOT was successfully launched on December 3rd 2014 and it’s currently on its way to the asteroid 162173 1999 JU3