Abstract
Stirling cryocoolers have been used in space since 1970's. Recently, it is an indispensable comportment for spacecraft such as earth observation satellites and space telescopes. On the other hand, Stirling engine has not been used yet. However, it has been studied as heat-to-electricity power converter for space applications, especially for deep space missions, because it can be expected to achieve high conversion efficiency. In JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), both the Stirling engine and cryocooler technologies are being studied for space applications. This paper reviews recent advances in Stirling cycle technology and their application for space development.
