Thermal control of spaceborne micro-hyperspectral imagers (MHIs) operating in inclined low-Earth orbits (LEOs) presents significant challenges due to the complex and dynamically varying external heat flux, which lacks a stable heat dissipation surface. This study proposes a thermal radiation analysis method capable of rapidly deriving accurate numerical solutions for the thermal radiation characteristics of spacecraft in such orbits. A dedicated thermal control system (TCS) was designed, featuring a radiator oriented towards the +z_s plane, which was identified as having stable and low incident heat flux across extreme solar–orbit angle conditions. The system employs efficient thermal pathways, including thermal pads and a flexible graphite thermal ribbon, to transfer heat waste from the imaging module to the radiator, supplemented by electric heaters and multilayer insulation for temperature stability. Steady-state thermal analysis demonstrated excellent temperature uniformity, with gradients below 0.017 °C on critical optics. Subsequent thermo-optical performance analysis revealed that the modulation transfer function (MTF) degradation was maintained below 2% compared to the ideal system. The results confirm the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed thermal design and analysis methodology in maintaining the stringent thermo-optical performance required for MHIs on inclined-LEO platforms.

Spatially uneven lithium (Li) growth in garnet solid electrolytes can accompany local mechanical damage. Here, operando scanning electron microscopy was used to follow Li growth on tantalum-doped lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide (LLZTO) under a localized tungsten-probe contact. Independent measurements on fractured and polished surfaces captured both contact-confined growth and visible extension beyond the initial contact region. On a polished surface, remote filamentary features elongated and branched over tens of micrometers. On a fractured surface, Li growth accompanied progressive opening and displacement of neighboring LLZTO regions. Site-specific scanning transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) examined a region after extended growth. The maps showed local Ta and Zr signal variations consistent with compositional nonuniformity. Cryogenic three-dimensional EDX revealed similar signal variations in a separate uncycled region. These elemental observations provide local material context for the growth sequences. Overall, the study documents distinct spatial growth modes and their temporal association with mechanical changes. Local composition is identified as a possible contributing factor alongside evolving contact and surface conditions.