2 AFRL Space Station Experiments Finish Successful On-Orbit Operations

  • Published
  • By Eva Blaylock, AFRL/RDMX
  • Directed Energy
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico --  AFRL's MHTEX (Massive Heat Transfer Experiment) and VADER (Variable emissivity device Aerogel insulation blanket, Dual zone thermal control Experiment suite for Responsive space) were decommissioned after 27 months of successful on-orbit operations aboard the International Space Station. MHTEX validated the on-orbit performance of multi-evaporator, multi-condenser capillary pumped loops, providing ~10X improvements in heat transfer capability and transport distance, greatly simplifying satellite thermal design, and enabling the use of high-power electronics on next-generation satellite systems. VADER evaluated novel thermal coatings that could actively control satellite thermal radiation and validated the on-orbit performance of a lower cost, more robust and resilient insulation blanket to replace traditional, and delicate, multi-layer insulation.

Both experiments were launched as part of the STP-H3 payload, manifested and launched through the SMC/Space Test Program. NASA launched the two AFRL experiments on the Space Shuttle Endeavour 16 May 12 as part of a four-experiment package. MHTEX validated the on-orbit performance of multi-evaporator, multi-condenser capillary pumped loops, providing ~10X improvements in heat transfer capability and transport distance. This technology can greatly simplify satellite thermal design and enable the use of high-power electronics on next-generation COMSATs. As a result of the on-orbit validation, multiple primes have now begun incorporating this technology into the design of their satellite thermal control systems.

VADER (Variable emissivity device Aerogel insulation blanket, Dual zone thermal control Experiment suite for Responsive space) consisted of two technologies: a) Variable Emissivity Devices: evaluated novel thermal coatings that could actively control satellite thermal radiation, thereby reducing the temperature swings on a satellite and improving the reliability of satellite electronics. b) Aerogel Insulation Blanker: validated the on-orbit performance of a lower cost, lighter, more robust and resilient insulation blanket to replace traditional, and delicate, multi-layer insulation. As a result of this validation, several primes are now conducting IR&D projects to integrate these blankets into their satellite development efforts.