In the dynamic realm of space missions, maintaining optimal temperatures for spacecraft components is pivotal for mission success.
During a mission, a spacecraft undergoes significant thermal cycles. However, crucial hardware components, like batteries and transmitters, operate within a narrower temperature range. This necessitates the development of a Thermal Management System (TMS) to regulate the spacecraft's temperature throughout the mission.
That proposal focuses on innovative coatings designed to control radiative heat transfer between the spacecraft and its environment. Enter selective wavelength and temperature-modulated multilayered coatings, offering a game-changing approach to thermal regulation.
If the spacecraft temperature rises, the coating aids in temperature reduction by enhancing thermal emission selectively in the mid-infrared. Conversely, in low temperatures, a highly reflective coating prevents further temperature drops by minimizing thermal losses. This dual-functionality provides a dynamically modulated thermal emissivity for improved thermal control.
The temperature modulation is achieved through the incorporation of a thermochromic transition material, vanadium dioxide. While a Fabry-Pérot resonance cavity currently ensures wavelength selectivity, we explore alternative structures like nanoparticle layers, networks, and nanopillars. Tuneable materials such as graphene will also be investigated for their potential contributions.
The multifaceted proposal spans coating design, sample fabrication, metrology development, and device-level testing. A comprehensive methodology has been established to analyze and optimize these radiative coatings, integrating thermochromic transition materials. We've already defined a robust methodology, leveraging it to model the radiative properties of preliminary structures.
This research aligns with NASA's space technology roadmap TA14.2, aiming to significantly advance the capabilities of exploratory missions. As we progress, we'll manufacture, characterize, system-test, and iteratively enhance variable emissivity coatings, pushing the boundaries of space exploration.
🌐 We will standardise, validate with the flight data and fully automate this process, and make it accessible to the entire space thermal engineers’ community via our Digital Engineer® Try it now