Radiators

Functional Characteristics:

• Temperature
• Power

Spacecraft produce large quantities of waste heat which must be radiated away. The effectiveness of a radiator depends on its operating temperature, which in turn must be lower than the temperature of the heat source. Typically spacecraft will have three different radiator systems:

• High temperature for drive waste heat
• Moderate temperature for reactors and other power sources
• Low temperature for weapon systems and sensors

The waste heat produced by other components may be neglected.

The power radiated from a radiator of area A operating at temperature T (and assuming perfect emmisivity) is given by

P = σ A T⁴

where σ = 5.7 × 10^-8 W m^-2 K^-4

Radiators may be folding, in which case they are only deployed when required. This will enhance the survivability of military vessels, in which the loss of a radiator will limit operational effectiveness.

The future of Ad Astra