Temperature System How and why do we control heat on a spacecraft?

How do passive heat sinks work?

Passive heat sinks are always working regardless of the temperature of the craft. This is like the insulation in the building you live. It is always there, keeping heat in or out of your building.

Like insulation, passive heat sinks work to try to regularize the temperature of the spacecraft and prevent overheating. A sink releases heat into space. Examples of sinks include resistors on fins sticking out into space and cooling fans.

There are other passive heat control devices that aren't sinks, but rather keep heat from entering or building up in other ways. Examples of these include sunshades, paint or coatings that reflect heat off of the spacecraft, thermal blankets, and the design of the ship itself. Designers positioned parts that can't be too hot or too cold in the interior of the craft.

Why do we have to control heat on a spacecraft if there are no people on board?
What could go wrong on DS1 if it gets too cold?
What could go wrong on DS1 if there's too much heat?
How is DS1's heat balance maintained?

What are heat sinks in DS1?
What are heat sources in DS1?
Does heat travel differently in space than it does on Earth?
What is heat balance?
What is a heat sink?

What happens to the heat once it is released into space?
Where does energy come from and go?