AFRL Completes Successful Experiments on the International Space Station

  • Published
  • By Jeanne Dailey
  • Directed Energy
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico --  The Air Force Research Laboratory completed a successful 27-month on-orbit evaluation of two thermal-control experiments on the International Space Station. MHTEX (Massive Heat Transfer Experiment) and VADER (Variable emissivity device Aerogel insulation blanket, Dual zone thermal control Experiment suite for Responsive space) are designed to improve heat transfer capability and heat retention for satellite components, resulting in ten times improvement over existing systems. MHTEX validated the on-orbit performance of its heat transfer capabilities that move heat from satellite components to a radiator away from the sensitive pieces. VADER's novel thermal coating could actively control satellite thermal radiation, resulting in the on-orbit performance of a lower cost and resilient insulation blanket to replace traditional and delicate, multi-layer insulation. The two are expected to change thermal control systems of future small satellites by making the components more robust, reconfigurable and cost-effective.

NASA launched the MHTEX and VADER experiments on the Space Shuttle Endeavour on May 16, 2011, as part of a four-experiment package sponsored by the Space Experiments and Review Board and the Space Test Program.