Flight Prototype SSC-X Cryocooler for Ballistic Missile Defense

The WCS approach achieves extreme miniaturization by operating at very high frequency. During the proposed Phase II, the SSC-X Team will extend on the substantial risk reduction achieved to date to realize a flight-design cryocooler that meets all of the performance (thermodynamic, exported vibration, current ripple, etc.) and environmental (thermal vacuum, random vibration, shock, EMI) requirements to enable miniature, high performance next generation infrared imaging sensors. With the compressor development having been completed in the prior phase, the Phase II initially addresses the two remaining unknowns, thermodynamic model correlation vs. operating frequency and the regenerator physical configuration. Those final risk reduction experiments lead immediately into the final design of the flight-design SSC-X Cryocooler, eliminating all non-flight features. The prototype flight coolers will then be subjected to extensive performance and environmental testing with the goal of exiting the program with a cryocooler immediately suitable for an on-orbit flight experiment. Approved for Public Release | 22-MDA-11339 (13 Dec 22)