Space adapted cryogenics

The cooling requirements applicable to scientific and application payloads of space missions currently planned within the next decade are presented as well as the applicability of the various cryogenic techniques to these requirements. The severe constraints imposed by the spacecraft system, the launch vehicle and the space environment on the spaceborne cryogenic payload are commented. Infra-red astronomy is one of the most demanding candidates for space cryogenics and examples of relevant cooling systems currently under development or proposed for near future missions within ESA activities are described. The trend for long term applications is also commented.