Passively Actuated Ultra-Low Mass Radiator for Lunar Surface

NASA seeks lunar surface thermal technologies to enable human-class landers operating in the challenging lunar environment where surface temperatures range from 100 (or less) to 400 K. Novus proposes an innovative solution for modular, passively actuated, ultra-low-mass radiators, offering near-constant temperature control, high fault tolerance against micrometeoroids and deep mass/volume reduction. The radiator system specific mass target is 1.5 kg/m2 (20% that of deployed systems (7.6 kg/m2)). A modularized architecture of many parallel thermosiphons each containing an ingenious integrated spring mechanism allow the system to passively maintain a designed pressure/temperature. The proposed work builds off past accomplishments at Novus prototyping ultra-low mass flexible space radiators and heat rejection systems for aerospace clients including a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) for NASA’s Next Gen RTG program. Novus is a component/subsystem level US-manufacturer with an experienced R&D team pursuing transformative thermal management and thermoelectric heat pump/heat engine products. This technology will serve space and terrestrial consumer markets. Our technology portfolio offers an exciting class of terrestrial products that bring thermal control immediately close to the body e.g. wearable active thermal systems and portable refrigeration products. The inflatable radiator heat rejection system offers aerospace thermal performance, in a small, flexible form factor, low-mass and silent operation. Our synergistic go-to-market strategy in the terrestrial consumer market will accelerate penetration in the space market by ramping up manufacturing, increasing technical industry knowledge and generating reliability data.

thermal systems on planetary bodies with enough gravity to run thermosiphons such as the Moon and Mars mass-constrained heat rejection systems that benefit from a reduction in radiator mass of >90% compared to legacy systems crewed missions with large thermal systems (vehicles, landers, bases) and a centralized heat rejection loop that benefits from high fault tolerance and passive thermal control during cold nights uncrewed robotic missions that benefit from passive thermal control during cold nights which need a high turn-down ratio

Terrestrial heat pumps are becoming miniaturized and portable, which means that the heat exchangers need to be lighter and flexible. Novus has near-term opportunities in the emerging market of distributed consumer thermal management products for refrigeration, HVAC, portable cooling devices, thermal transport in wearable electronics, clothing, camping gear, furniture, and bedding.

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