A MULTI-FOIL(R) insulation system for a solar bimodal power and propulsion system: design, fabrication and testing

摘要

Preliminary results of the thermal testing of the insulation package for Integrated Solar Upper Stage (ISUS) program is presented and compared to design predictions. This subscale system of the Receiver Absorber Converter (RAC) was named RACCET and was tested with electrical and solar heating at the solar test facility at Edwards Air Force Base, CA. The thermal tests showed that the heat losses were much higher then predicted. At 2500 K the measured losses were 6160 W versus the predicted 2500 W. The mechanisms for this difference are examined. These results are then used to modify the design of the shielding and thereby reduce the heat losses for the insulation package for the Engine Ground Demonstration (EGD) version of the RAC.