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Potential Uses of Deep Space Cooling for Exploration MissionsNearly all exploration missions envisioned by NASA provide the capability to view deep space and thus to reject heat to a very low temperature environment. Environmental sink temperatures approach as low as 4 Kelvin providing a natural capability to support separation and heat rejection processes that would otherwise be power and hardware intensive in terrestrial applications. For example, radiative heat transfer can be harnessed to cryogenically remove atmospheric contaminants such as carbon dioxide (CO2). Long duration differential temperatures on sunlit versus shadowed sides of the vehicle could be used to drive thermoelectric power generation. Rejection of heat from cryogenic propellant could counter temperature increases thus avoiding the need to vent propellants. These potential uses of deep space cooling will be addressed in this paper with the benefits and practical considerations of such approaches.
Document ID
20120006537
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Chambliss, Joe
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Sweterlitsch, Jeff
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Swickrath, Micahel J.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2012
Subject Category
Engineering (General)
Report/Patent Number
JSC-CN-26151
Meeting Information
Meeting: 42nd International Conference on Environmental Systems (ICES)
Location: San Diego, CA.
Country: United States
Start Date: July 15, 2012
End Date: July 19, 2012
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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