Development of Lightweight Radiators for Lunar Based Power Systems
941327
06/01/1994
- Event
- Content
- This report discusses application of a new lightweight carbon-carbon (C-C) space radiator technology developed under the NASA Civil Space Technology Initiative (CSTI) High Capacity Power Program to a 20 kWe lunar based power system. This system comprises a nuclear (SP-100 derivative) heat source, a Closed Brayton Cycle (CBC) power conversion unit with heat rejection by means of a plane radiator. The new radiator concept is based on a C-C composite heat pipe with integrally woven fins and a thin walled metallic liner for containment of the working fluid. Using measured areal specific mass values (1.5 kg/m2) for flat plate radiators, comparative CBC power system mass and performance calculations show significant advantages if conventional heat pipes for space radiators are replaced by the new C-C heat pipe technology.
- Pages
- 12
- Citation
- Juhasz, A., and Bloomfield, H., "Development of Lightweight Radiators for Lunar Based Power Systems," SAE Technical Paper 941327, 1994, https://doi.org/10.4271/941327.