Passive Radiative Cooler for Use in Outer Space
TBMG-6996
11/01/2000
- Content
The figure depicts a passive radiative cooler designed for use in outer space. The design of this device conjoins radiative and conductive thermal-isolation features, which, in further conjunction with a favorable spacecraft attitude and on-orbit thermal environment, can be utilized to cool specimens of high-temperature superconducting materials to operating temperatures. Once installed on a spacecraft or even on the lunar surface, the passive radiative cooler will perform the cooling function that would otherwise be performed by a more expendables-hungry cryogenic system. This device, which has the added advantage of no moving parts, can operate in low orbit around the Earth in the space-shuttle cargo bay. Small and adaptable to many spacecraft and mounting configurations, this device can be used to demonstrate applications that involve superconductivity. Commercially, this device can advance the art by providing a simplified alternative for satellites equipped with infrared (IR) detectors or apparatuses that exploit superconductivity.
- Citation
- "Passive Radiative Cooler for Use in Outer Space," Mobility Engineering, November 1, 2000.