Lunar base heat pump
Abstract
A heat pump is a device which elevates the temperature of a heat flow by a means of an energy input. By doing this, the heat pump can cause heat to transfer faster from a warm region to a cool region, or it can cause heat to flow from a cool region to a warmer region. The second case is the one which finds vast commercial applications such as air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration. Aerospace applications of heat pumps include both cases. The NASA Johnson Space Center is currently developing a Life Support Systems Integration Facility (LSSIF, previously SIRF) to provide system-level integration, operational test experience, and performance data that will enable NASA to develop flight-certified hardware for future planetary missions. A high lift heat pump is a significant part of the TCS hardware development associated with the LSSIF. The high lift heat pump program discussed here is being performed in three phases. In Phase 1, the objective is to develop heat pump concepts for a lunar base, a lunar lander, and for a ground development unit for the SIRF. In Phase 2, the design of the SIRF ground test unit is being performed, including identification and evaluation of safety and reliability issues. In Phase 3, the SIRF unit will be manufactured, tested, and delivered to the NASA Johnson Space Center.
- Publication:
-
Final Report
- Pub Date:
- October 1994
- Bibcode:
- 1994fmai.reptR....G
- Keywords:
-
- Cooling Systems;
- Ground Tests;
- Heat Pumps;
- High Temperature Environments;
- Life Support Systems;
- Lunar Based Equipment;
- Lunar Environment;
- Air Conditioning;
- Compressors;
- Heat Exchangers;
- Heat Transfer;
- Refrigerants;
- Thermodynamic Cycles;
- Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer