The Thermal Laboratory serves the development, qualification and calibration of space instrumentation to investigate the thermal properties of planets, asteroids and comets using contact and radiometric measurements. The instruments employed are essentially thermometers, thermal conductivity and heat flow probes, as well as infrared radiometers which are tested and calibrated in the laboratory. Furthermore, it provides support for the development and thermal testing of new technologies and instruments developed across the institute. Measurements of thermal conductivity, heat capacity, density, and porosity of analogue materials are performed to provide context for the scientific interpretation of data obtained by space missions.
