Application of the thermoelectric cooler in the seventeenth Chinese retrievable satellite

On October 20, 1996 the seventeenth Chinese retrievable satellite was launched with the Commom Space Biological Culture Apparatus (CSBCA). The satellite was retrieved on November 4, 1996. During fifteen days in the orbits around earth a series of biological experiments was successfully completed and fruitful results have been achieved. The CSBCA used TTE-1 thermoelectric cooler (TEC) as thermal control device which created a thermal environment for space biological experiments. The paper describes the structure of the CSBCA, introduces the design considerations of TEC and it´s reliability estimation, gives remote temperature data of the CSBCA in the orbits. In whole course of the launch, operation, return and retrieve of the satellite, it has been proven that the design of the TEC is reasonable, the TEC´s have excellent performances and are high reliable electronic devices for space applications