[nerpderp82]

Many CCD cameras used for astronomy use a TEC stack to cool the sensor. Separating the cold and the hot side is paramount. Haven't used it in space, but I'd probably use a vapor phase heat pipe to move the heat as far away as possible before radiating the rest of the heat away.

[tullianus]

That would have helped a lot! Using a high-conductance device to transport heat away from the hot side before switching to lower-conductance devices for heat rejection. All I can say is that my thermal philosophy wasn't as robust back then, and I also had an irrational fear of heatpipes :)

[nerpderp82]

I would also wrap the whole TEC stack with Aerogel so heat doesn't leak around the edges. Heatpipes are amazing.