Plug-and-Play Thermal Control Structures for Satellite Applications

Long lead time to launch satellites has created the need for low cost plug and play thermal control components. An alternative to passive thermal systems (louvers, etc.) is active thermal management provided by the Eclipse Variable Emissivity Electrochromic Device (VED). Eclipse VED™s: modulate emissivity; can be applied to curved surfaces; are space/vacuum durable; reduce launch weight through less power consumption; reduce thermal design time; prevent unwanted solar gain; and are low temperature vacuum deposited all solid sate devices. Eclipse is a world leader in next generation space thermal control. Eclipse technology is scheduled for space flight on the Midstar Satellite in Jan 2007. In Phase II, Eclipse will continue the program efforts by expanding the hardware system to accommodate a larger array of VEDs that can be tailored to fit virtually any spacecraft or antenna geometry.