ACT's Constant Conductance Heat Pipes Reach Historic 100 Million Hours in Space
In a remarkable milestone for spacecraft thermal management, Advanced Cooling Technologies (ACT) is proud to announce that our aluminum-ammonia Constant Conductance Heat Pipes (CCHPs) have achieved over 100 million hours of cumulative operation in space. This achievement represents more than a decade of reliable thermal control solutions powering critical space missions
A Legacy of Excellence in Space
This milestone isn’t just about numbers – it’s about consistent, reliable performance in one of the most demanding environments imaginable. Each hour of this 100 million represents our commitment to excellence in aerospace thermal management, where failure is not an option. “Reaching 100 million hours of flight heritage represents countless successful missions, years of innovation, and our team’s unwavering commitment to excellence,” says Bryan Muzyka, VP of sales and marketing at ACT. “In an industry where reliability is measured in fractions of a percent, our track record speaks volumes about our team’s expertise. In addition to our team, a big thank you to NASA, Space Force and all our customers who trusted us with their mission’s success”
Read the official press release
Why This Milestone Matters
Flight heritage remains the most trusted indicator of reliability in the space industry. Each successful operating hour in space reinforces a technology’s durability and dependability. With the space economy booming – projected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2030 – proven thermal management solutions are more critical than ever:
- Satellite constellations are growing exponentially, with thousands of new satellites launching annually
- Modern satellites pack more powerful electronics into smaller spaces, making thermal management increasingly challenging
- Space tourism and commercial space stations are creating new demands for reliable thermal control
- Deep space missions require thermal solutions that can function flawlessly for decades
ACT’s achievement of 100 million hours demonstrates not just reliability, but the scalability and versatility needed to meet these emerging challenges.
Engineering for the stars
What makes ACT’s CCHPs the trusted choice for space missions?
It’s actually a combination of two critical factors: (1) engineering and qualification and (2) repeatable process:
Engineering & Qualification:
- Wick design expertise – validated through life tests and rigid thermal performance testing
- Completed qualification testing for a large variety of diameters, providing customers with rapid development programs even when using a custom cross section
- Precise engineering support to understand orbital profiles and worst-case heat transfer requirements
Repeatable, Quality Manufacturing:
- ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified Quality System compliance
- AWS 17.1 certified welding processes for aerospace applications
- Rigorous multi-stage cleaning processes
- Triple distillation of working fluids
- Advanced testing with state-of-the-art helium mass spectrometer leak detection
- Proprietary modeling software for precise performance prediction
- In-house radiography
Beyond Standard Quality
Each CCHP undergoes an extensive qualification process that exceeds industry standards. Our proprietary in-situ cleaning process and multiple quality checkpoints ensure optimal performance in zero-gravity conditions. This attention to detail has led to our perfect track record in space operations. Our in-house radiography capabilities allow each CCHP to undergo x-ray before shipment, ensuring quality control.
Looking to the Future
As we celebrate this milestone, we’re uniquely positioned to continue our leadership in spacecraft thermal management. ACT’s 30,000-square-foot production facility represents one of the industry’s largest dedicated CCHP manufacturing operations, with the capacity to produce over 25,000 heat pipes annually. This robust manufacturing capability is backed by our comprehensive approach to spacecraft thermal and structural design, allowing us to deliver optimized solutions that consider the entire system architecture.
Our expertise extends far beyond manufacturing alone. ACT’s integrated team of thermal and structural analysts employs advanced simulation tools and proprietary in-house code to ensure each component meets the rigorous demands of space applications. From launch survival to orbital thermal cycling, our analysis capabilities help customers navigate complex design challenges while optimizing for Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) requirements.
Looking ahead to the next 100 million hours, the space industry faces unprecedented challenges. Mega-constellations, increasing power demands, moon to mars missions, and ambitious deep space missions require thermal management solutions that are both reliable and scalable. ACT’s ISO9001 and AS9100 certified quality system ensures that every CCHP we produce meets the exacting standards demanded by these next-generation space applications. This achievement not only reinforces ACT’s position as a leader in space thermal management solutions but also demonstrates our unwavering commitment to quality, reliability, and innovation in aerospace technology. As the industry continues to evolve, our combination of manufacturing scale, technical expertise, and proven flight heritage positions us to support the next era of space exploration and satellite technology.
This achievement not only reinforces ACT’s position as a leader in space thermal management solutions but also demonstrates our unwavering commitment to quality, reliability, and innovation in aerospace technology. As the industry continues to evolve, our combination of manufacturing scale, technical expertise, and proven flight heritage positions us to support the next era of space exploration and satellite technology.
