Performance testing of a large heat lift 40 to 80K pulse tube cooler for space applications

A Large heat lift 40 to 80K Pulse Tube Cooler (LPTC) has been designed, manufactured and tested in partnership between AL/DTA, CEA/SBT and THALES Cryogenics BV. The Engineering Model specification of 2.3 W cooling power at 50 K for 10°C rejection temperature and maximum 160 watts electrical input power has been reached. The as built model weighs 5.13 kg. The thermal and mechanical performances are presented and discussed. This work is funded by the European Space Agency (ESA/ESTEC Contract N°18433/04/NL/AR) in the frame of future Earth Observation instruments development.