Conformal Appliqu¿ for Thermal Control in Space

"This Phase I SBIR will develop a new and novel method of controlling the radiated energy from the surface of a spacecraft. It is based on an existing device, an electrostatic switched radiator (ESR), which has demonstrated large changes in radiated energyas measured in space-like conditions. The device works by switching the heat transfer mode from conduction to radiation and has demonstrated changes in LWIR emissivity over .7. This proposal will take the existing structure and fabricate it as an appliqu¿which can be easily applied to a surface.Presently, the ESR requires a separate, rigid substrate. Although with this substrate, it is still lighter than alternative approaches, this proposal will fabricate this device as a surface coating appliqu¿ which can be applied easily to most surfaces tocontrol the heat radiated from the surface. Using a combination of molding and MEM's-like fabrication techniques, a lightweight coating less than .004" thick with a emissivity change greater than .8 and with an operating voltage below 30 volts, will bedeveloped. This is a new and important tool for temperature control in space and will be suitable for virtually all satellites. A new and novel radiation control system is proposed which will have multiple uses in temperature control of satellites and spacecraft. It is lightweight which will be a major advantage in space applications and will have very wide range of emissivity,giving good therm