Multifunctional Applique for Spacecrafts

This program will develop an appliqu"¦ based on a multi-layer film which will be conductive as well as possessing good optical properties (low ¦A, high ¦Å). The film will be designed to be highly resistant to the space environment. This white, conductive appliqu"¦ will be easily applied to most external areas of the spacecraft. The appliqu"¦ is expected to have multiple layers, each individually optimized. The outer layer will be a transparent conductor using embedded carbon nanotubes with the additional layers used for visual and LWIR control. In addition, the design also will provide contact points for electrical grounding between separately applied appliqu"¦s. This appliqu"¦ will be fabricated as two separate designs. The more universal appliqu"¦ will be a very thin film with a space-approved adhesive backing so it can be easily applied as a conformal layer to the spacecraft. A second system will be similar, but include an active control system based on the ESR. The ESR system has been shown to electrically switch the effective emissivity from .2 to .9. It is low power and lightweight and can be integrated into an appliqu"¦ approach.