Study on a reversible thermal panel for spacecraft (detailed design based on parametric studies and experimental verification)

Abstract

This paper describes a new passive thermal control device - a Reversible Thermal Panel (RTP), which changes its function reversibly from a radiator to solar absorber by deploying/stowing the radiator/absorber reversible fin. Parametric studies were conducted and the RTP configuration which satisfies the thermal requirements were determined. The RTP engineering model was fabricated using highly oriented graphite sheets, honeycomb base plate and shape memory alloy. The heat rejection performances and autonomous thermal controllability were evaluated by thermal vacuum tests. The test results show the excellent performances of heat rejection, absorption and autonomous thermal control for the RTP.