Solid state thermal control for spacecraft

The steady-state heat-pumping capabilities of thermoelectric devices are examined for spacecraft in earth orbit, using a simple model. Thermoelectric parameters for a standard Bi2Te, alloy are fitted with fourth-order polynomials in temperature. Parameters are used which are the average for the temperature difference across the p-n couple. Internal spacecraft temperatures are varied from 270 to 330 K, and absorbed incident radiation fluxes are varied from zero to 700 W per sq m. It is found that heat rejection can be optimized with respect to thermoelectric device and radiator fin geometries, as well as with respect to input electrical power and that these devices are most useful on the surfaces with highest incident radiant power. Maximum heat fluxes which can be pumped out of the spacecraft are on the order of 50-160 W per sq m for the various thermal environments examined. Input electrical powers corresponding to these maximum heat fluxes range from about 50-300 W per sq m. However, efficiency is greatly improved by operation at lower input-power levels.