Radiation, dust and coolant freeze-out mitigation

Current lunar orbit and surface habitat concepts incorporate conventional single-phase radiators coated with Z-93 to reject heat. These habitats will be exposed to high energy and ionizing ultraviolet (UV) radiation while traveling through the Van Allen belts that can last from hours to days. Also, during lunar landing and other dust generating surface operations, the highly adhesive lunar dust can coat the radiator surface. A combination of these two processes can degrade the radiator's optical properties leading to dramatic reductions in its heat rejection capability and performance. Prolonged operation in extremely cold temperature conditions can freeze the radiator coolant compromising the radiator performance. NASA developed passive louvers to protect the radiators from UV radiation and dust to address the above issues, but they have very slow actuation times and present significant mass and volume penalties. Analytical Scientific Products is proposing the development and demonstration of an innovative multilayered system that attenuates UV radiation, eliminates dust adhesion and prevents coolant freeze-out. Our technology is compact, lightweight and maintenance-free. It has fast actuation and a low power requirement. In Phase I, we propose to demonstrate the technical feasibility of mitigating the UV radiation and dust exposure using our technology through a combination of design, testing, and analysis. In Phase II, we will build the prototype device, test it over a broad range of conditions, and deliver it to NASA for additional testing and evaluation. Phase III consists of field testing and commercialization.

This project will result in an active, compact, low-power, and low-maintenance, autonomous device that protects radiators and other mission critical components from ionizing UV radiation, dust, and exposure to extremely low temperatures. Our technology has applications in any industry that deals with UV radiation and dust. The primary intended market is the space industry where the deleterious effects of ionizing radiation, dust, and low-temperature operation are well known and can compromise the safety and functionality of various systems. It can be used to prevent dust and UV radiation from reaching mission critical components during space travel to and landing on various planetary bodies including the moon and Mars. Our technology has several non-NASA terrestrial applications. It can be used in any system that requires protection from dust and UV exposure. Low-cost technologies like manual louvers and screens are available to protect terrestrial systems like solar panels. However, these require access to the target systems and are not suitable for remote systems like solar farms. Moreover, they require a lot of manual intervention in terms of periodic maintenance and cleanup which becomes challenging in applications where such exposure is hazardous.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — 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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