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This paper discusses the capabilities of the ESARAD software which is currently under development for the European Space Agency. This software is intended to replace the WHEAT package which is used to calculate view factors, radiative exchange factors and solar, albedo and planet heat fluxes. In addition to providing all the capabilities of the VWHEAT package (a LOHARP derivative) ESARAD also provides full 3D-visualisation, a solid modelling capability, XY graph plotting, and is expected to be in the region of two orders of magnitude faster than WHEAT with far better accuracy. The selected method of calculation will also permit the evaluation of specular reflection and transmissive surfaces, After a brief overview of the major aims of the development, the software is discussed from two main aspects, the user interface facilities (how the users defines the model to the system), and the calculation facilities (what can be calculated, and how are these calculations performed).