Advanced Electrically Conductive Thermal Control Coating for Spacecraft

The space environment poses two significant challenges to spacecraft that have been historically mitigated by coating systems: electrostatic discharge (ESD) and thermal threats. The ESD spacecraft threat is a result of high radiation flux from both solar storms and potential nuclear threats that can cause charge build-up on exterior spacecraft surfaces. While spacecraft systems referenced to structure ground are not affected by a uniformly charged spacecraft, spacecraft materials and surfaces are not uniform, however, and material properties vary. Current ESD thermal control coatings are a satisfactory compromise between excellent thermal control and excellent ESD performance. A variety of conductive organic and inorganic thermal control coatings have been developed, however none of them exhibit the necessary electrical conductivity required to provide the desired levels of high radiation hardening. To address the dual need for thermal control coatings that exhibit much higher electrical conductivity coupled with good thermal control performance, Luna proposes to modify industry standard and space-qualified thermal control coatings with highly conductive nanomaterials to impart electrical conductivity levels several orders of magnitude higher than existing ESD-protective coatings. Through strategic processing and additive manipulation, thermal performance properties will be maintained resulting in a multifunctional, electrically conductive thermal control coating. BENEFIT: The push for thermal control coatings having higher radiation hardening capability is being driven by the use of more sensitive and mission-critical electronics on satellites and other spacecraft. In addition, more and more satellites are being manufactured in the U.S. for a variety of defense and communications applications both within the military and commercial sectors. Successful completion of this Phase I program will result in multiple opportunities that span a range of military and commercial markets that require spacecraft (i.e. satellites) to operate with more stringent radiation hardening requirements coupled with increased thermal control needs. The new conductive thermal control coating will find use on a host of various military and commercial spacecraft structures that require unprecedented levels of electrical and thermal protection.