Environmental qualification of a high-temperature superconducting magnet and flux pump system for spaceflight

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Abstract
The Hēki technology demonstration payload was launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in September 2025. Hēki is designed to advance the technology readiness level of two novel technologies: a high-temperature superconducting magnet and a ‘flux pump’—an inductive superconducting rectifier which energizes the magnet to field. This paper describes the rigorous pre-launch test and analysis program developed to meet ISS safety requirements and to demonstrate that these new components will survive the environment of launch and operations in space. The tests included structural analyses and random vibration testing to emulate launch conditions, thermal vacuum testing to simulate operations in space, and electromagnetic compatibility testing to verify Hēki can be operated without interfering with neighbouring experiments and electronics. Hēki successfully completed this pre-launch test program without degradation in performance, reducing the risk of failure in flight and marking an important milestone toward commercialization of these technologies for space applications.
Funding Information
  • Programme Johannes Amos Comenius under the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic ([CZ.02.01.01/00/22_008/0004590])
  • New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (RTVU2003 and RTVU1916)

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