Lightweight High Temperature Thermal Radiators

Graphite/glass composites offer lightweight, highly conductive, survivable radiators that can improve the maximum temperature and energy efficiency of space nuclear power systems. MSNW will develop a preliminary radiator design, fabricate subcomponent materials, and experimentally determine critical material properties. The preliminary design will include thermal comparisons with other materials, analysis of the heat transfer of the heat pipe/fin interface, and analysis of thermal stresses. Analytical studies will use composite micromechanics, closed form heat transfer and stress analysis, and finite element models. Fabrication and testing, to be done by United Technologies Research Center, will include hot pressing of high conductivity graphite/glass subcomponents and measurement of thermal conductivities, thermal expansions, and tensile properties.