Some of the key requirements were:

  •  Develop and qualify 50 mK ADR cooler.
  •  Base temperature < 30 mK
  • To be able to be pre-cooled by 4 K J-T (Planck cooler)
  • To have high level magnetic shielding to protect spacecraft and X-ray detectors on cold finger

Formal transfer of system to ESA occurred in June 2008.

(System has stayed at MSSL on loan for continued component development)

The system comprises of a double ADR. The figures show a 3 D solid model cut away view and the real assembled cooler without the cold finger magnetic shield.

ESA ADR 3D cut away model

The system works well with a base temperature of 25 mK when operated from a 4 K environment.

Further Information:

Cryogenics Research