WIP KSP mod adding a number of advanced radiators
Don't expect rapid development, this mod is largely a side project.
Ejects cobalt coolant into space at very high temperatures, then catches it with a magnet when it cools down, allowing the physical footprint of the unit to be confined to a small area. Most complete part currently, only missing a few mount options. Larger variant planned.
- Extremely compact cooling, over 3MW per square meter at a 1600K inlet temperature
- Consumes a large amount of power
- Poor mass efficiency - only 1.5 MW per ton
- Only functions at loop temperatures above 1100K, ideally above 1200K
- Consumes a large amount of coolant (however, that feature of SystemHeat is broken, and the radiator will continue functioning when coolant is exhausted)
Ejects liquid tin coolant across space from an emitter boom, where it is subsequently caught by a separate collector boom downstream, avoiding the mass penalty that comes with physical radiator panels. Has two implemented variants, with different length switches and a model rework planned for the future.
- Very lightweight, providing 6.3-10 MW per ton depending on variant
- Conversely, takes up a lot of space, providing only 40-90 kW per square meter of deployed area
- High power variant has sizeable electrical consumption, though less than the Curie fountain
- Only functions at loop temperatures above 560K, ideally above 760-1000K
- Low but nonzero coolant consumption, with the high-power option consuming significantly more
Heats up a loop of graphene ribbon that is constantly passed through a heat exchanger, avoiding the need for coolant channels while also avoiding the boiloff that results from exposing coolant to space. Currently only one variant, pending model rework. Smaller option and similar wire loop radiators planned.
- Fairly lightweight, though not as light as LDR - radiates 4.7 MW per ton
- Deploys into a narrow 20m diameter loop handling 4.4 MW in total
- Moderate power consumption
- No minimum temperature, similar to traditional radiators
- Does not consume coolant