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Lightweight, High-Temperature Radiator Panels

Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: NNC05CA12C
Agency Tracking Number: 033743
Amount: $599,494.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: F3.09
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2003
Award Year: 2005
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2004-12-02
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2006-12-02
Small Business Information
Etna Rd., P.O. Box 71
Hanover, NH 03755-0071
United States
DUNS: 072021041
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Christopher Crowley
 Principal Investigator
 (603) 643-3800
 cjc@creare.com
Business Contact
 William Baschnagel
Title: Operations Manager
Phone: (603) 643-3800
Email: wrb@creare.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Lightweight, high-temperature radiators are needed for future, high-efficiency power conversion systems for Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP). Creare has developed flexible radiators that are extremely lightweight, stowable in small volumes, and deployable with small forces, but are limited by materials to temperatures below 350 K. These novel radiators incorporate integral micrometeorite protection. Our innovation is a material combination and fabrication method that produces radiator panels with low weight, high fin efficiency, and excellent strength at temperatures. Our goal is to provide a radiator technology based on prior technologies and provides a major advancement toward NASA's goals for light weight and high temperature operation in advanced radiators. The innovative approach does not require development of new materials, simply refinement of processes to join standard metal tubes and foils in the configuration desired. In Phase I we proved the feasibility of the concept and demonstrated the ability of the panel to operate at high temperature. Our lightweight radiator panel offers a factor of four reduction in weight compared with present honeycomb structures and will approach 1.5 kg/m? at a fin efficiency approaching 80%. During Phase II we propose to build, test, and deliver an subscale radiator that demonstrates the advantages of the technology.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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