Vapor Compression Hybrid Two-Phase Loop Technology for Lunar Surface Applications

NASA's vision for Space Exploration that would return humans to the Moon by 2020 in preparation for human explorations of Mars. This requires innovative technical advances. The lunar mission requires a temperature-lift (heat pump) technology to reject waste heat to hot lunar surface (heat sink) environments during lunar daytime. The lunar outpost and Lunar Surface Access Module (LSAM) to operate anywhere during the hot lunar daytime require a high performance and energy-efficient, yet reliable refrigeration technology. A vapor compressor-driven hybrid twophase loop was developed for such hgh temperature-lift applications. The vapor compression loop used an advanced porous wick evaporator capable of gravity-insensitive capillary phase separation and excess liquid management to achieve high temperature-lift, large-area, isothermal and high heat flux cooling capability and efficient compression. The high temperature lift will allow the lunar surface systems use compact radiators by increased heat rejection temperature.