Vision: Development of a dynamic thermal regulation system for small satellites based on patented graphene optoelectronics technology.

Innovation: Satellites experience rapidly alternating extreme heat under sunlight and extreme cold in earth's shadow during which the absorbed and internally generated heat change constantly. The current regulation systems balance the absorbed/generated heat with vented heat, such as heaters, consume a significative amount of power (~5-20% of total power). This project aims to adopt a patented graphene technology that can change its thermal radiation with small electric signals for dynamic thermal regulation of small satellites. The technology will have the following features: lightweight, low-power consumption, small-voltage operation, and large thermal radiation modulation. The innovative aspects of the project are 1) the use of graphene and its tunable optoelectronic properties for controlling thermal radiation, 2) overcoming the limitations of the existing thermal regulation systems and their power consumption.

Focus: SmartIR was founded in 2020 to commercialize a breakthrough and patented graphene optoelectronics technology discovered at the University of Manchester. The main project outcome will be a prototype dynamic radiator ready-to-be-integrated onto small satellites.

Objectives: Optimizing the fabrication of graphene adaptive thermal tiles (ATT) to be compatible for space applications. A prototype rig. that is ready to be tested in space.

1\. Impact: Reduction of satellites heat power consumption thanks to the ability to control dynamically the optical properties of the satellite\`s surface enabling new payloads design and operation with higher power accommodation.

2\. The technology can easily be scaled up for larger spacecraft applications, where the lightweight feature in contrast to existing thermal management systems, could generate launch cost-savings from a reduced payload.