MAINSTREAM ENGINEERING CORP — National Aeronautics and Space Administration SBIR Phase I: Z2

Description

NASA is currently seeking technologies that will support use of single-loop thermal control systems (TCSs) aboard spacecraft for human class missions and mechanically-pumped, two-phase flow TCSs.nbsp; Mainstream proposes a compressor that satisfies both objectives by enabling use of a single-loop, two-phase thermal control system to replace the current two-loop TCS.nbsp; NASA has historically used two-loop TCSs to mitigate crew toxicity risk, whereby one loop collects heat within the crew module (CM) with a low-toxicity fluid and transfers the heat to a second loop in the external service module (SM) that rejects heat through the radiators.nbsp; Our proposed system eliminates the intermediate heat exchanger and duplicate components (pumps, valves, etc.).nbsp; Oure design thermal control system that uses advanced component designs, innovative cooling concepts, integrated control valves, lightweight materials, and a high-speed compressor to achieve low input power and a component mass roughly 1/4th the mass of the current pumping unit. The compressor is by far the most critical component to develop.nbsp; In Phase I, Mainstream will refine the design of the compressor, fabricate a prototype, and experimentally demonstrate the compressor performance.nbsp; Phase I will conclude with the experimental demonstration of compressor performance targets including: 1) 8-kW cooling capacity, 2) less than 700 W of input power, 3) 8.2 kg mass, and 4) gravity insensitivity.