Radiator for Nuclear Powered Spacecraft, Year 2
Project Description
Advanced power conversion technologies will require high operating temperatures and would benefit from lightweight radiator materials. Radiator performance dictates power output for nuclear electric propulsion systems. Pitch-based carbon fiber materials have the potential to offer significant improvements in operating temperature, thermal conductivity, and mass. These properties combine to allow significant decreases in the total mass of the radiators and significant increases in the operating temperature of the fins.
More »Anticipated Benefits
Woven bare carbon fins are applicable to all future missions using nuclear electric power and propulsion and to some solar system planetary surface missions using nuclear power generation systems. The bare carbon fins have the potential, by reducing the size and mass of the radiator system, to be enabling for NEP.
More »Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Marshall Space Flight Center
(MSFC)
|
Lead Organization | NASA Center | Huntsville, Alabama |
Glenn Research Center
(GRC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Cleveland, Ohio |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMASS) | Supporting Organization | Academia | Amherst, Massachusetts |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
Alabama
-
Massachusetts
-
Ohio
