On-Demand, Variable IR Emissivity Device for Thermal Control of Spacecraft

This program will result in a device for continuously variable emissivity for thermal control of orbital assets. The device will control radiative heat transfer through use of reversible metallic coatings that control the emissivity state of the device to best match variable heat loads arising from orbital positioning and/or fluctuating heat loads within the orbital asset. The device will offer the benefits of low size, weight and power, on-demand operation, independent localized emissivity control, and be capable of tunable, autonomous control. A high level of thermal control is anticipated, since the device will be capable of adopting any number of emissivity states between high and low states, and control different portions of the orbital asset independently. The simple, robust design will easily integrate with existing spacecraft and enable extended use in space environments.  The device will enable autonomous control for high performance, remote operation. Phase I includes design and development of the electrodes that will enable formation and removal of the reversible metallic coatings, identification of the operational parameters needed to demonstrate variable emissivity states, and preliminary assessments of size, weight and power, as well as integration considerations. Phase II will develop and package prototype devices for space qualification testing.