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Iso-grid, Thermal-Structural Panel (IsoTherm) (IsoTherm)
Completed
TRL 6 (started at 4, targeting 6)
Description
Due to current industry trends in electronics component design and packaging, spacecraft are becoming smaller and more powerful. As a result, spacecraft power densities are foreseen to increase dramatically in the coming years, and thermal considerations are expected to become an even larger problem than on current spacecraft. Today’s thermal control technologies will soon be too inefficient or ineffective to meet tomorrow’s needs, and innovative thermal management solutions are required to ensure that thermal considerations do not limit spacecraft capabilities on future missions. This project presents a revolutionary new thermal control solution in development at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Space Vehicles Directorate, called IsoTherm, which provides a 100X increase in thermal performance by integrating a two-phase (liquid/vapor) cooling loop within the ribs of an isogrid structural panel, with no detrimental effect on the stiffness/mass ratio of the panel. The objective of our experiment is to quantify the performance of the IsoTherm system, and the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumps that power it, in a microgravity environment.
Work continues under
T0091-P.
Benefits
New satellite thermal management technologies are needed to reduce non-recurring costs and enable advanced technologies to be incorporated on modern spacecraft. The iso-grid, thermal-structural panel (IsoTherm) represents a one size-fits-most solution for satellite thermal control. Potential users are NASA, DoD, and commercial space companies.
Details
| Technology area | Thermal Management Systems > Thermal Control Components and Systems > Heat Transport |
| Program | Flight Opportunities (FO) |
| Lead organization | Air Force Research Laboratory - Kirtland, Kirtland AFB, NM |
| Start date | 2012-09-11 |
| End date | 2015-09-11 |
Project contacts
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How to get involved
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — 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.
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