Analysis of Solar-Heated Thermal Wadis to Support Extended-Duration Lunar Exploration
Abstract
The realization of the renewed exploration of the Moon presents many technical challenges; among them is the survival of lunar-surface assets during periods of darkness when the lunar environment is very cold. Thermal wadis are engineered sources of stored solar energy using modified lunar regolith as a thermal storage mass that can supply energy to protect lightweight robotic rovers or other assets during the lunar night. This paper describes an analysis of the performance of thermal wadis based on the known solar illumination of the Moon and estimates of producible thermal properties of modified lunar regolith. Analysis has been performed for the lunar equatorial region and for a potential outpost location near the Lunar South Pole. The calculations indicate that thermal wadis can provide the desired thermal energy and temperature control for the survival of rovers or other equipment during periods of darkness.
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The use of solar energy to sinter and/or melt lunar regolith can coalesce it into a continuous block with higher thermal conductivity than the natural lunar regolith.
“The use of solar energy to sinter and/or melt lunar regolith can be a way to coalesce it into a continuous block with higher thermal conductivity than the natural lunar regolith. 184,185”
From Energy system and resource utilization in space: A state-of-the-art review (2024) · cites this paper as [184]
The power generation of the Stirling generator will not be more than 70 kW.
“However, the power generation of the Stirling generator will not be more than 70 kW. 184”
From Energy system and resource utilization in space: A state-of-the-art review (2024) · cites this paper as [184]
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- Authors
- Balasubramaniam, R., Gokoglu, S., Sacksteder, K., Wegeng, R., & Suzuki, N.
- Affiliations
- Glenn Research Center (US)
- NASA John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field, Cleveland, Ohio 44135
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (US)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US)
- ORCID
- Balasubramaniam, R.
- Venue
- Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer
- Published
- 2011-01
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 130-139
- ISSN
- 0887-8722 (ISSN-L)
- 1533-6808
- OpenAlex
- W1977676790
- Cited by
- 45
- References
- 15
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 2.89
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer (publishedVersion)
- NASA STI Repository (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) (submittedVersion)
- NASA Technical Reports Server (NASA) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Space and Planetary Science › Planetary Science and Exploration
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Aerospace Engineering › Spacecraft Design and Technology
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanical Engineering › Phase Change Materials Research
- Keywords
- lunar rover, thermal mass, solar energy storage, thermal analysis
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