Ricor's Articles
MSL/CheMin Cryocooler System Requirements and Characterization Tests (2009)
The Chemistry Mineralogy (CheMin) instrument is being built for use on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) to make precision measurements of mineral constituents of Mars rocks and soil. The instrument uses a commercially available Ricor K508 Stirling cycle cryocooler to cool a CCD to 173K to make X-ray diffraction spectroscopy measurements.
Field Reliability of RICOR Microcoolers (2009)
Over the recent 25 years Ricor has fielded in excess of 50,000 Stirling cryocoolers, among which approximately 30,000 units are of micro integral rotary driven type. The statistical population of the fielded units is counted in thousands/hundreds per application category.
Thermal Design and Performance of the Gamma-Ray Spectrometer for the MESSENGER Spacecraft (2009)
A gamma-ray spectrometer (GRS) has been built and
delivered to the MESSENGER spacecraft which launched on
August 3, 2004, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The GRS, a part of seven scientific instruments on board MESSENGER, is based on a coaxial high-purity germanium detector.
Ricor K562S Micro Miniature Rotary Stirling Cryocooler (2009)
Novel compact and low power consuming cooled infrared thermal imagers as used in gyro-stabilized payloads of miniature unmanned aerial vehicles, Thermal small arms sights and tactical night vision goggles often rely on integral rotary micro-miniature closed cycle Stirling cryogenic engines.