Using Paraffin with -10℃ to 10℃ Melting Point for Payload Thermal Energy Storage in SpaceX Dragon Trunk

摘要

A concept of using paraffin wax phase change material (PCM) with a melting point between -10℃ and 10℃ for payload thermal energy storage in a Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) Dragon trunk is presented. It overcomes the problem of limited heater power available to a payload with significant radiators when the Dragon is berthed to the International Space Station (ISS). It stores adequate thermal energy to keep a payload warm without power for 6 hours during the transfer from the Dragon to an ExPRESS logistics carrier (ELC) on the ISS.