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Completed TRL 2 (started at 1, targeting 2)
Game-changing propulsion systems are often enabled by novel designs using advanced materials. Radiator performance dictates power output for nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) systems. A model developed at UMass showed that use of novel materials and designs for a high-temperature radiator for space-based power systems can dramatically improve the power per weight and weight per area.
It will provide a more detailed, predictive modeling capability in order to help guide design efforts for radiators.
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