Improved thermal management for large planar phased array antennas proposed for future spaced-based radar applications in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is a critical issue. Effective and lightweight thermal management concepts are required to enhance thermal control and provide near isothermal operation during transit between daylight and eclipse periods and radar electronic power-on and off operation. Due to the planar array’s large area the antenna has sufficient area to radiate the deposited power during both eclipse and daylight periods. The critical issue is keeping the antenna warm during the eclipse period, thereby maintaining the structure and sensitive electronic components near an isothermal condition. The thermal concept discussed provides a totally passive, lightweight and highly effective thermal control approach. The concept utilizes a phase change material (PCM), which exploits the large latent heat capacity for effective energy storage. In addition, the concept utilizes a new lightweight and high thermal conductivity carbon foam material to integrally contain or encapsulate the PCM. The carbon foam thermal conductivity and cell geometric characteristics result in effective thermal transfer during both thermal energy storage and extraction. The overall design concept provides a weight efficient and highly effective thermal control approach that requires no additional parasitic power. High payoff includes improved temperature control for near isothermal operation of the antenna array during the entire orbit.
Space-based radar antenna thermal control
Space Technology and Applications International Forum - 2001 ; 2001 ; Albuquerque, New Mexico
AIP Conference Proceedings ; 552 , 1 ; 277-282
2001-02-02
6 pages
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
Space-Based Radar Antenna Thermal Control
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