The present study has investigated a novel concept of an inflatable radiator which captures burst heat from space-based defense systems during its short generation period and radiates it to space later over a longer period. During the operation phase, the radiator is extended out of the spacecraft and filled with steam generated by the waste heat. As the spacecraft continues orbiting the earth, the steam is condensed gradually. The radiator is retracted during condensation so as to maintain a constant saturation pressure, and is folded neatly into the spacecraft, ready for the next mission. A preliminary design of the inflatable radiator has been performed during which various aspects of its operation were studied. The paper discusses the results of these studies including the choice and evaluation of candidate materials, design of the bag with the retraction, folding and drive mechanisms, the thermal dynamic stability and survivability analyses.
High power inflatable radiator for thermal rejection from space power systems
Aufblasbarer Hochleistungsradiator als thermische Sperre fuer Weltraumantriebssysteme
IECEC, 23rd Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conf., ASME ; 1 , Aug ; 353-358
1988
6 Seiten, 3 Bilder, 5 Quellen
Conference paper
English
Radiator concepts for high power systems in space
AIAA | 1984
|Radiator Developed for Space Power Systems
Emerald Group Publishing | 1989
Lightweight radiator optimization for heat rejection in space
Tema Archive | 1997
|Rotating film radiator for heat rejection in space
Tema Archive | 1988
|Radiator free space power generation
AIAA | 1998
|