Additive Manufacturing Solutions for Solar Thermal Propulsion: An Integrated Core Design Approach
R. Cambertoni (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
L. Dall' Osto (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
A. Cervone (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
S. Speretta (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
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Abstract
In Solar Thermal Propulsion, a high-temperature Receiver-Absorber Cavity (RAC) converts concentrated sunlight into heat, which is then transferred to a propellant and expanded through a nozzle to generate thrust. Conventional RACs are often limited by material coupling issues, such as thermal expansion mismatches, material degradation , and restricted geometric freedom, leading to inefficiencies or failure under the demanding operating temperatures involved. This work presents a comprehensive approach to the design and manufacturing of a Solar Thermal Thruster (STT) core that integrates the RAC Thermal Energy Storage (TES) capability and the Heat Exchanger (HEX) into a single component, enabled by advancements in Additive Manufacturing (AM) for high-temperature applications.