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Completed TRL 3 (started at 1, targeting 3)
An important aspect of manufacturing in-space is the determination and utilization of the raw ingredients (resources) needed to construct these structures such as the lunar regolith. This proposal addresses the use of polymeric fluids as a way to construct and verify structures and performance, particularly radiators. Fluidics utilize the microgravity environment and material chemistries to phase transform liquids to defect free solid structures. Working with our collaborators at Technion and NASA Ames, a radiator thermal dissipation experimental test set-up will be used to verify radiative heat rejection of the fluidic radiator structure and compare those results with a traditional aluminum radiator with the same surface area
In-space manufacturing of structures plays an important role in the development of novel next generation form factors ranging from habitat construction to vital components for satellites. Fluidics utilize the microgravity environment and material chemistries to phase transform liquids to defect free solid structures.
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