Patent ID: 9352855
Filing Date: 2016-05-31
CPC Classification: B64G,Y02E

Claim Text:
1. A spacecraft, comprising: a side having an exposed area capable of permitting heat transfer between the spacecraft and deep space; at least one extensible member coupled to the spacecraft, the at least one extensible member being movable between a collapsed position in which a free end of the extensible member is positioned adjacent to the exposed area at a first distance and an extended position in which the free end is spaced apart from the exposed area at a second distance, greater than the first distance; and a thermal control panel comprising first and second sides, the first side having an emissivity less than an emissivity of the second side, the panel being coupled to the extensible member free end, the second side facing the exposed area when the extensible member is in the collapsed position; wherein in the collapsed position, the panel is configured to absorb ambient light and emit heat toward the exposed area thereby minimizing heat loss from the spacecraft side, and wherein in the extended position, heat transfer from the spacecraft side is not substantially restricted by the panel.