Thermal architecture for a cryogenic super-pressure balloon payload: design and development of the Taurus flight cryostat

Simon Tartakovsky, Alexandre E. Adler, Jason E. Austermann, Steven J. Benton, Rick Bihary, Malcolm Durkin, Shannon M. Duff, Jeffrey P. Filippini, Aurelien A. Fraisse, Thomas J.L.J. Gascard, Sho M. Gibbs, Suren Gourapura, Jon E. Gudmundsson, John W. Hartley, Johannes Hubmayr, William C. Jones, Steven Li, Jared L. May, Johanna M. Nagy, Kate OkunIvan L. Padilla, L. Javier Romualdez, Michael R. Vissers

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

We describe the cryogenic system being developed for Taurus: a super-pressure balloon-borne microwave polarimeter scheduled to fly in 2027. The Taurus cryogenic system consists of a 660 L liquid helium cryostat which achieves a base temperature of ≤100 mK with the help of a capillary-fed superfluid tank and a closed cycle dilution refrigerator. The main tank is supported with fiberglass flexures and is encased in two layers of vapor-cooled shields which allow Taurus to make full use of the extended flight time offered by the super-pressure balloon platform. The Taurus cryostat is projected to hold for over 50 days while weighing under 1000 lbs. We present the design, testing, and thermal analysis of the Taurus cryogenic systems.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationGround-Based and Airborne Telescopes X
EditorsHeather K. Marshall, Jason Spyromilio, Tomonori Usuda
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510675117
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024
EventGround-Based and Airborne Telescopes X 2024 - Yokohama, Japan
Duration: Jun 16 2024Jun 21 2024

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume13094
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferenceGround-Based and Airborne Telescopes X 2024
Country/TerritoryJapan
CityYokohama
Period6/16/246/21/24

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Keywords

  • Cosmic Microwave Background
  • Cryogenics
  • Scientific Ballooning

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Thermal architecture for a cryogenic super-pressure balloon payload: design and development of the Taurus flight cryostat'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this