Description: High temperature heat rejection is a critical technology gap inhibiting full implementation of nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) for NASA inter-planetary and Lunar Surface missions. Nuclear electric thermal management requires rejection of 4-10MW of power at temperature approaching 900K; the target radiator areal density is <6kg/m2. NASA requires robust coatings exhibiting high emissivity and charge-dissipative characteristics. As stated in the FY24 Z2.01 solicitation "High-Temperature Heat Acquisition, Transport, and Rejection' scope, the large heat loads associated with nuclear power and propulsion systems require radiators that are a significant fraction of the total mass of the system, so lightweight high-temperature radiators are needed to enable such systems". ThermAvant Technologies (TAT) proposes to develop an Oscillating Heat Pipe (OHP)-based structurally integrated low areal density radiator to meet this crucial need. TAT will conduct a hardware build/test program to quantify OHP manufacturing, operating metrics, and advances over the current state of the art (SOTA). Scope of this proposed phase I is specifically for novel high-temperature radiator panel development; TAT will partner with coating specialists, and has a separate phase II pending selection for Z2.01 core acquisition and transport.

Benefits: Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) Lunar Surface Nuclear Power Systems Planetary Exploration MissionsSpacecraft power and propulsion High temperature waste heat recovery Concentrated solar power Hypersonic vehicle thermal management