High Temperature Radiator Coating

The proposed innovation centers on a high-temperature radiator coating designed for use in nuclear-electric spacecraft, where long-term stability, high emissivity, and low solar absorptivity significantly reduce the radiator area for a heat rejection system. The technology's purpose is to provide a robust, thermal control coating operating at temperatures up to 750 K, withstand harsh space conditions, and reliably bond to lightweight carbon-carbon substrates. Phase I funding will be used to demonstrate the feasibility of a zirconium silicate-based thermal control paint by compounding the new coating, applying it to carbon-carbon test panels, cycling it between low and high temperatures, and characterizing its optical properties and adhesion performance. The broader aim is to lower spacecraft mass and volume by enabling more efficient heat rejection in nuclear-powered missions. Target markets include NASA programs and commercial entities requiring high-temperature radiators, such as spacecraft utilizing nuclear-electric energy, lunar or Mars exploration platforms, and industries needing vacuum-compatible coatings (e.g., semiconductor equipment and high0-temperature industrial processes).

NASA’s strategic thrust for nuclear space technologies emphasizes the need for high-temperature materials and coatings that reduce vehicle mass and enable sustainable deep-space missions. Enhancing heat rejection capability is a primary enabler for efficient, long-duration space power, aligning with NASA’s broader mission to develop transformative, high-payoff technologies that secure American leadership in space. This proposal advances the STMD roadmap by providing a refractory thermal control coating engineered for low solar absorptivity and high emissivity that bonds reliably to lightweight, high thermal conductivity carbon–carbon composites, with performance maintained at 750 K. By mitigating failure modes such as delamination from CTE mismatches, our proposed zirconium silicate–based solution may overcome limitations of current coatings (e.g., AZ‑93 and AZW/LA‑II) that exhibit thermochromic instability and poor adhesion. If successful, the enhanced heat rejection efficiency will directly reduce radiator surface area, thereby lowering mass and volume constraints and improving overall system reliability. Beyond NASA’s missions, the proposed high-temperature radiator coating enables a wide variety of commercial applications where efficient heat rejection at elevated temperatures and under vacuum conditions is critical. High-end manufacturing processes—particularly in the metallurgy, glass, and ceramics sectors—require robust thermal control in furnaces and reactors, an area where this coating’s high emissivity and excellent chemical stability can reduce equipment size, extend operational lifetimes, and improve energy efficiency. In parallel, semiconductor processing equipment, which often operates in vacuum chamber environments, can capitalize on the coating’s thermally stable and inert surface to maintain consistent temperature control, thereby enhancing wafer yields. Further, emerging technologies in advanced nuclear power, concentrated solar power systems, and other industrial-scale heat recovery platforms rely on high-temperature radiators to reject excess heat; the proposed coating’s durability and low solar absorption properties can significantly lower cooling loads and overall operational costs in these settings. Lastly, as private space companies continue to expand satellite constellations and engage in on-orbit servicing, the coating’s ability to maintain performance at 750 K offers a compelling solution for commercial spacecraft radiators, providing mission-critical mass savings and energy efficiency benefits.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.