Development of Highly Reflective Spacecraft Radiator Sprayable Coatings

Thermal control of spacecraft is accomplished through the optical and thermal properties of the eternal surfaces of the vehicle. The use of thermal control coatings or second surface mirrors on these surfaces ar common methods for managing the overall thermal environment of spacecraft. The proposed low solar absorbance ( ) high emittance ( ET ) thermal control (TC) coating(s) shall be developed to be readily and cost effectively deposited onto large complex surfaces. The thermal control coating(s) developed for this proposed task will consist of candidate binary or doped ceramic oxides of metals of zinc, zirconium, gallium, titanium, aluminum and magnesium. These materials will be produced in such a manner to obtain the material with the appropriate stoichiometry, particle or agglomerate size to maximize the reflective efficiency of the developed coating(s). The coatings shall remain stable when exposed to the various space environments for long durations. Investigations of optical properties will be carried out to determine the optimum concentration of the pigment constituents in order to achieve a highly reflective material and coating throughout the solar spectrum. Testing of selected materials and coatings will be carried out to determine their potential space nd ground stability.