A thermal management system for a spacecraft module includes a baseplate
and wall system that is precharacterized to provide a given level of
thermal performance regardless of an orientation of the spacecraft
relative to a source of solar energy. The system is characterized at a
worst-case hot orientation, and at a worst-case cold orientation. The
characterization provides a maximum temperature and a minimum temperature
of components mounted on the baseplate as a function of the height of the
walls. The height of the walls is selected to provide a suitable
temperature range for the components, based on the power dissipation of
the components. The system is designed to be symmetric, so that this
temperature range is assured regardless of the orientation of the
spacecraft.