Radiation, dust and coolant freeze-out mitigation

Current lunar orbit and surface habitat concepts incorporate conventional single-phase radiators coated with Z-93 to reject heat. These habitats will be exposed to high energy and ionizing ultraviolet (UV) radiation while traveling through the Van Allen belts that can last from hours to days. Also, during lunar landing and other dust generating surface operations, the highly adhesive lunar dust can coat the radiator surface. A combination of these two processes can degrade the radiator's optical properties leading to dramatic reductions in its heat rejection capability and performance. Prolonged operation in extremely cold temperature conditions can freeze the radiator coolant compromising the radiator performance. NASA developed passive louvers to protect the radiators from UV radiation and dust to address the above issues, but they have very slow actuation times and present significant mass and volume penalties. Analytical Scientific Products is proposing the development and demonstration of an innovative multilayered system that attenuates UV radiation, eliminates dust adhesion and prevents coolant freeze-out. Our technology is compact, lightweight and maintenance-free. It has fast actuation and a low power requirement. In Phase I, we propose to demonstrate the technical feasibility of mitigating the UV radiation and dust exposure using our technology through a combination of design, testing, and analysis. In Phase II, we will build the prototype device, test it over a broad range of conditions, and deliver it to NASA for additional testing and evaluation. Phase III consists of field testing and commercialization.