Development of a Parabolic Reflector Radiator (PRR) for the LuSEE-Night Mission

Discipline: Thermal Control & Protection Abstract: This presentation will cover the work needed to supply 12 flight PRR reflectors to the LuSEE-Night mission on a NASA GCD project known as PALETTE PRR for LuSEE-Night. LuSEE-Night is a 2026 CLPS mission to a 20 degree S latitude lunar site, and after landing there on a Firefly Aerospace lander, its intent is to make 21 cm cosmology measurements using a monopole antenna system. In early June 2024, JPL delivered 12 flight PRR reflectors to LuSEE-Night and this presentation will cover the design, build, test, and delivery of those 12 flight PRR reflectors. LuSEE-Night needs a PRR to provide it with a low sink temperature so it can survive the high IR flux emanating from the 385 K surface temperatures expected at its low latitude landing site. LuSEE-Night utilizes a JPL-inspired thermal architecture to survive lunar night and it intends to operate at its landing site for 24 lunar day/night cycles (2 Earth years). LuSEE-Night is jointly funded by NASA SMD and the DoE Office of Science. The FY23-24 PALETTE PRR for LuSEE-Night project is funded by NASA STMD/GCD. This project is a follow-on to the highly successful PALETTE NASA STMD/GCD project, which spanned from FY20-FY23. David is the PI for the PALETTE PRR for LuSEE-Night project and was also the PI for PALETTE.

David Bugby

7/31/2024 6:00:00 PM