THERMAL COOLING EXPERIMENT: --------------------------- A resistor on the -Z axis could serve as a heat sink for excess solar power and would be a good study project for students. Sizing the resistor to dissipate all solar power in excess of the nominal average power could allow us to get rid of about 3 watts of heat. If we don't do anything, then that 3W adds to our peak temperature. If we switch it to a radiating resistor, then that gives us at least some thermal control. Assuming the total solar flux is about 140W through our spacecraft, this would give us about a 3.5% control range. Taking the 4th root at a nominal 270 deg K operating temperature, then this could equate to a temperature difference of about 3 degrees? Just my guess..... So we put 80 RED LEDS on the bottom of PC sat as a 3W thermal radiator for this test. And just for fun, at night we can also turn them on as power permits as a visual experiment. Calculations suggest a magnitude of about 6 if it is pointing straight down. Eight, if it is off to one side or the other. Magnitude 8 is visible with binoculars. Bob Bruninga, WB4APR