Passively Actuated Ultra-Low Mass Radiator for Lunar Surface

NASA seeks lunar surface thermal technologies to enable human-class landers operating in the challenging lunar environment where surface temperatures range from 100 (or less) to 400 K. nbsp;Novus proposes an innovative solution for modular, passively actuated, ultra-low-mass radiators, offering near-constant temperature control, high fault tolerance against micrometeoroids and deep mass/volume reduction. nbsp;The radiator system specific mass target is 1.5 kg/m2 (20% that of deployed systems (7.6 kg/m2)).nbsp;A modularized architecture of many parallel thermosiphons each containing an ingenious integrated spring mechanism allow the system to passively maintain a designed pressure/temperature.nbsp; The proposed work builds off past accomplishments at Novus prototyping ultra-low mass flexiblenbsp;space radiators and heat rejection systems for aerospace clients including a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) for NASArsquo;s Next Gen RTG program.Novus is a component/subsystem level US-manufacturer with an experienced Ramp;D team pursuing transformative thermal management and thermoelectric heat pump/heat engine products.nbsp; This technology will serve space and terrestrial consumer markets.nbsp; Our technology portfolio offers an exciting class of terrestrial products that bring thermal control immediately close to the body e.g. wearable active thermal systems and portable refrigeration products.nbsp; The inflatable radiator heat rejection system offers aerospace thermal performance, in a small, flexible form factor, low-mass and silent operation.nbsp; Our synergistic go-to-market strategy in the terrestrial consumer market will accelerate penetration in the space market by ramping up manufacturing, increasing technical industry knowledge and generating reliability data.nbsp;