A proof-of-concept (POC) lightweight lunar radiator was fabricated and tested. The POC radiator has a specific weight of 5 kg/kW one quarter the specific weight of current space radiators. The significant weight reduction was due to the radiator's unique design. It is a multicellular heat pipe radiator utilizing the lunar gravity for condensate return. The innovation of this radiator is the laminated film material used as the heat pipe envelope. By utilizing a flexible, durable, leak tight laminate structure instead of the typical ridged heat pipe envelope, significant weight reductions were achieved. In addition, the resulting radiator is extremely flexible, allowing it to be rolled or folded and compactly stored during transit to the lunar surface. Testing demonstrated that a laminated film heat pipe radiator offers improved performance and significant mass savings over conventional space radiators.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Unfurlable Radiator for Lunar Base Heat Rejection


    Additional title:

    Sae Technical Papers


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    International Conference On Environmental Systems ; 1994



    Publication date :

    1994-06-01




    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




    Ultra Lightweight Unfurlable Radiator for Lunar Base Heat Rejection

    Garner, S. D. / Gernert, N. J. / American Institute of Physics | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1993


    Unfurlable Space Based Heat Pipe Radiator

    Fale, John E. / Gernert, Nelson J. | SAE Technical Papers | 1996


    Unfurlable Space Structure Optimization

    Sibai, Munira / Inoyama, Daisaku / Stoumbos, Tom G. et al. | AIAA | 2021


    UNFURLABLE SPACE STRUCTURE OPTIMIZATION

    Sibai, Munira / Inoyama, Daisaku / Stoumbos, Tom G. et al. | TIBKAT | 2021


    Unfurlable metal structures for spacecraft

    McNaughton, J.D. | Engineering Index Backfile | 1963