Thermal contact conductance of pressurized surfaces

Thermal vacuum testing has demonstrated the feasibility of the concept of pressurizing contact surfaces for the transfer of waste heat on the Space Station. Data show a thin inflatable bladder design to provide a greater contact conductance than an expandable bellows approach, with substantially less interface volume to transfer the same amount of heat. Extended vacuum testing of the Radiator-to-Thermal Bus assembly indicated a continual increase of conductance as the interface was maintained at 150 psi for a 100-hour period.