Contact Conduction Fidelity Within Small Satellite System-Level Thermal Analysis

Defining contact conduction coefficients is crucial for a system-level thermal analysis on satellites. Thermal analysis must be quick and accurate for many small satellite missions to ensure components stay within operating temperatures. Contact conduction, influenced by surface finish, roughness, anisotropy, and pressure distribution, is a complex research area. The challenge is to determine an 'acceptable' level of fidelity for conduction coefficients under tight timelines. How much do simplifications affect heat distribution in a thermal model?