Space Constructive Radiator System Optimization

During the period from Feb. 1984 to April 1985, test data have been obtained on several of the Space Constructible radiator (SCR) system components, such as the high capacity monogroove heat pipe, the contact heat exchanger, and the heat pipe disconnect. In light of both the performance data that are now available and the changes in Space Station requirements that have occurred since the inception of the SCR program in 1979, an optimization study of the entire SCR system is warranted. This paper reports the results of that study, which includes performance, weight, and reliability estimates.