Lunar Lander - Autonomous Variable Radiator

Peregrine will use proven technologies drawn together to provide the autonomous and variable radiator-based technology sought by NASA for use on the moon to operate in sunlight at 375 K and also to turn down its performance when in the shadow regions at temperatures near 90 K. This proposed innovation will also meet low mass goals below 5.4 kg/m². This is a solid-state device that requires no external power for operation, it is built from proven and reliable processes and materials with heritage. This innovative autonomous variable radiator provides a real-world solution to lunar thermal control. Peregrine will rely upon its proprietary technology and decades of experience in spacecraft thermal management to design, simulate, verify, build and qualify an advanced variable radiator based upon the use of: 1.) The use of a cryogenic compressor (a diffusion pump-based design) that will allow the radiator to self-switch from full sun operation to shadow region operation autonomously without the use of power, 2.) A high thermal conductivity material (thermal pyrolytic graphite) with over 1,600 W/mK in thermal conductivity to uniformly spread thermal loads, and 3.) The use of well proven metal materials and designs to encapsulate the thermal pyrolytic graphite and cryogenic compressor for autonomous operation. These few elements are all that are necessary in order to provide autonomous variable operation from full sunlight to darkness. This proposed innovation has no moving parts which, leads to high reliability, high performance, no power requirements, and low weight.

Peregrine’s will use advanced materials, analysis, and manufacturing techniques to develop an innovative autonomous variable radiator to provide a real-world solution to lunar thermal control. This variable radiator technology can be applied to deep space probes and for Mars applications along with numerous other NASA missions requiring varying thermal control.

This technology can be applied to many other satellite applications just as for NASA whether that be commercial or military. In addition derivatives of this technoligy could be used for building thermal control or industrial applications to the regenerative use of waste heat for increased efficiency.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.