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Completed TRL 5 (started at 3, targeting 5)
The primary focus of the project is to provide future space vehicles a reliable form of long duration supplemental heat rejection (SHREDs). SHREDs allow a vehicle to reject waste energy when nominal means do not allow so. The project is investigating, through partnerships with UTC Aerospace and Mezzo Technologies, the use of wax and water based PCM Hx. The project will culminate with a technology demonstration on ISS.
NASA funded: The project has identified two PCM Hx concepts that have paths for possible infusion to future vehicles such as Orion. The project includes development and an eventual technology demonstration on the International Space Station (ISS). The first heat exchanger is wax-based and has reached a TRL of 4. The project will build a wax-based PCM Hx in partnership with UTC Aerospace for flight demonstration on ISS. Testing a wax-based PCM Hx in a relevant environment will allow an "off the shelf" option for future vehicles, such as Orion, that require long duration supplemental heat rejection.
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — 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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