Design and development of a hard tube flexible radiator system

The construction and operational characteristics of an extended life flexible radiator panel is described. The radiator panel consists of a flexible fin laminate and stainless steel flow tubes designed for a 90 percent probability of surviving 5 years in an Earth orbit micrometeoroid environment. The radiator panel rejects 1.1 kW sub t of heat into an environmental sink temperature of 0 F. Total area is 170 square feet and the panel extends 25 feet in the fully deployed position. When retracted the panel rolls onto a 11.5 inch diameter by 52 inch long storage drum, for a final stored diameter of 22 inches.