A major objective of the NASA science spacecraft systems development programs is to implement science measurement capabilities using small, affordable spacecraft enabling a single spacecraft to meet multiple mission requirements thus making the best use of the limited resources. Another objective of NASA is to extend human presence in the solar system. To accomplish these objectives, NASA is seeking for innovations in thermal control technologies to enable further scientific advancement at lower cost, lower risk, reduced power requirement, reduced volume, and/or reduced mass, while maximizing the lifetime, safety and reliability. The proposed low mass two-phase thermal switch (TPTS) technology shows great potential by reducing the complexity, mass and cost of previous devices while increasing the performance. The program will demonstrate the feasibility of modeling, designing, optimizing and manufacturing of such a high performance TPTS. NASA Orion Crew Exploration and Deep Space are among NASA's programs to benefit from this innovation.
The Low Mass Two-Phase Thermal Switch developed by this program can be used for both space and terrestrial applications. It can practically be implemented and used by other military or commercial satellite applications that require infrared imaging and sensors on advanced telescopes, such as Air Force Space-Based Infrared (SBIR) surveillance and tracking system architecture. For example, through the use of cryogenic thermal switch technology, the infrared sensing capability can be enhanced by reducing the parasitic heat load. Also, the device can be easily designed be used as thermal control component for any terrestrial application, both military and commercial.
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