Speaker:  Dr. Peter Shirron, Cryogenics & Fluids Group, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center

Abstract:  Cryogenics has always been a foundational element of NASA’s space program, but it is far more critical now with the growing use of ultra-low temperature detectors in x-ray, infrared and sub-millimeter telescopes.  Cryogenic systems are becoming very complex as the size of telescopes and focal plane arrays expand, and the cooling requirements become more challenging: lower operating temperature (below 50 millikelvin), higher cooling power and long lifetime.  The challenge is heightened by the need for most missions to be funded through international collaborations, with various parts of the cryo-chain contributed by different space agencies.  There have been some spectacular mission successes, and some heartbreaking failures.  This talk will be a personal reflection on the unique challenges and opportunities of designing cryogenic systems for space, and just how hard can be to get it right.