Switched Emissivity Changes via Electrostatic Attraction

Sensortex, Inc.

Kennett Square, PA

Fabrication and delivery of two (2) space-qualified variable emissivity devices based on the Electrostatic Radiator (ESR) approach for flight-testing on the NASA New Millennium Space Technology 5 (ST5) constellation of satellites.

• The ESR operates as a thermal switch, changing the mode of heat transfer between the spacecraft skin and the radiator film from conduction (high heat loss) to radiation (low heat loss)
  
• The ESR has low power consumption with relatively simple control electronics
  
• The device is basically an off-on switch, but segmenting the area gives digital control of the emissivity to control spacecraft temperature
  
• For the purposes of the ST-5 missions, the ESR will be fabricated to utilize four independent sections and will operate at a voltage ~ 300 VDC
  

• Sensortex has teamed with the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) and will serve in the lead role for development, fabrication and testing of system electronics and control software
• Ongoing discussions with several commercial aerospace companies (Aerospace Corporation, Ball Aerospace, Boeing, Swales Aerospace) on potential integration of the product after the ST5 demonstration
  
• Results from flight testing are anticipated to be reported both at industry conferences (e.g. STAIF) and in a peer reviewed journal (e.g. AIAA Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer)
  

• The primary market for ESR is spacecraft that require switchable radiation for temperature control in applications where power and weight conservation are important
  
• The characteristic light weight and simple active control required of the ESR will be a significant advantage for space applications with tight requirements on temperature control and payload mass
• All significant fabrication and testing steps have been incorporated into the overall NASA ST5 project; and additional project funds have been approved to support final device fabrication and testing, satellite integration and testing, launch support and mission data analysis

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