The Air Force Research Laboratory has launched the Space Power InfraRed Regulation and Analysis of Lifetime, or SPIRRAL, experiment with the SpaceX CRS-31 spacecraft to test the performance of variable emissivity materials, a.k.a. VEMs, in the International Space Station.
The SPIRRAL program will determine how VEMs can reduce temperature extremes in space, AFRL said Monday. Designed to manage thermal challenges encountered by space-orbiting vehicles, the materials alter their optical properties to either reject heat in scorching environments or retain heat in frigid settings.
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Game-Changing Space Technology?
Andrew Williams, deputy technology executive officer for space at AFRL, noted that SPIRRAL will change spacecraft thermal control for all satellites. “This technology is the holy grail for spacecraft thermal control and will revolutionize the cost and time for thermal design,” he added.
During the tests, VEMs will be onboard an Aegis Aerospace Materials International Space Station Experiment carrier, which will be stationed outside of the ISS to expose the materials to space. Performance data will then be collected and compared to the VEMs’ anticipated behavior based on models formulated by terrestrial characterization.
Enhanced Spacecraft Resilience
According to Isaac Foster, principal investigator for SPIRRAL, the demonstrations will inform plans to use the technology to bolster future spacecraft resilience, stressing that VEMs will enable more efficient and reliable space assets.
SPIRRAL is part of AFRL’s Space Solar Power Incremental Demonstrations and Research Project, which seeks to develop technologies for a space-based solar power collection and transmission system to deliver uninterrupted power to U.S. expeditionary forces.