David Antoniuk
TRW Space and Technology Redondo Beach, California 90278, U.S.A.
D. K. Edwards
University of California, Irvine Irvine, California 92717, U.S.A.
Causes of arterial heatpipe depriming are presented and analyzed. Gas bubble formation and dissolution are examined. Results of experimental tests performed to elucidate bubble behaviors are reported. An explanation of the Communications Technology Satellite (CTS) thermal flight anomalies is put forth. Concepts to avert artery depriming are delineated.