Patent ID: 8556501

Claim:
A method comprising: selecting a blackbody traveling in a micro-gravity environment and at least one temperature sensor, at least one phase constituency measurement device, at least one container positioned proximate said at least one temperature sensor and said at least one phase constituency measurement device and containing a material, and at least one heat transfer device positioned proximate said at least one container; inducing, by said at least one heat transfer device, said material through a phase change; monitoring, during said inducing, a temperature signal output from said at least one temperature sensor; monitoring, during said inducing, a phase constituency signal output from said at least one phase constituency measurement device; identifying said temperature signal output at the value corresponding to the point at which said phase constituency signal output indicates a threshold value; converting said identified temperature signal output into at least one temperature reading; calculating a correction correcting a disparity between said at least one temperature reading and a known temperature corresponding to said phase change; and executing a first calibration corresponding to said blackbody, said first calibration comprising applying said correction to subsequent temperature readings obtained using said at least one temperature sensor.