Cool by design 3D printing
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) May 26, 2024
A 3D-printed aluminium frame designed for satellite electronics aims to address heat management in space missions.

In space, the lack of convection currents means heat accumulates more easily than on Earth. This frame helps dissipate heat by integrating 'heat pipes' that transfer waste heat away from electronic components.

These heat pipes, filled with ammonia, function similarly to human sweat glands. When heated, the ammonia evaporates, moving heat to cooler areas where it condenses, ready to repeat the process.

The frame's unique design results from 'topology optimisation,' a computational approach that places material only where necessary, similar to how tree branches grow. This method maximizes the versatility of 3D printing.

Developed for ESA by a consortium led by EHP in Belgium, this project is part of the 'Assessing the use of Advanced Manufacturing to improve and expand space hardware capabilities' research initiative. It is supported by ESA's General Support Technology Programme, which promotes innovative technologies for space.

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