Study on the Thermal Radiation Performance of the Multi-functional Structure Made of the Carbon Fiber Composite Material

Abstract

The design strategy of the multi-functional structure is that the electrical components and the circuits are directly put on their supporting structural panel in which the radiation shields and the thermal control functions are integrated. Applying the multi-functional structure reduces the total mass and size of the space system and makes it possible to lower launch cost. In present study the performance of thermal radiation for six types of multi-functional structure are investigated by the numerical method. The effect of the rib configuration on heat transfer for the multi-functional-structure is not important alone but is meaningful considering with the structural stiffness, difficulty of manufacturing and mass increase. In heat spreading point of view, the thickness of the outer conductive layer is important rather than the rib configuration and the trade-off study with the mass and thickness is required for optimum design.