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After a general introduction on two-phase thermal control system issues, the paper reviews the status of and lists commonalities and differences between the only two currently developed aerospace-related mechanically pumped two-phase thermal control systems. These are the Russian Segment Active Thermal Control System (RSATCS) hybrid two-phase ammonia thermal control system for the Russian segment of the International Space Station ISS, and the Tracker Thermal Control System (TTCS) hybrid two-phase carbon dioxide thermal control loop for the AMS-2 attached ISS payload.

Advanced thermal management systems are one of the key technologies needed for future applications within the framework of the NASA Authorization Act 2005. This Act specifies that a programme shall be established to develop a sustained human presence on the Moon, including a robust pre-curser programme to promote exploration, science, commerce and US pre-eminence in space, and as a stepping stone to future exploration of Mars and other destinations. This paper will elucidate the development of two-phase thermal management systems for Moon and Mars applications, using data obtained from experiments with terrestrial scale-model systems, built according to the thermal-gravitational modelling and scaling laws (derived from dimension-analytical similarity considerations). It will include also important supporting issues, like the compilation of flow pattern maps at various gravity levels and writing down the constitutive heat and mass transfer equations for these maps.

The paper deals with heat and mass transfer research issues related to the development of spacecraft active thermal control systems, more specifically development of two-phase heat transport system technology. It focuses on design and development supporting theoretical work: the thermal/gravitational scaling of two-phase heat transport systems, including the aspects of gravity level dependent two-phase flow pattern mapping and condensation.

Discussed are some critical theoretical and experimental research issues to be investigated for candidate two-phase thermal control systems (and their components), to define what is to be done to develop reliable systems, for near and far future planetary applications envisaged. An earlier publication SAE-2007-01-3242 (“Design of planetary two-phase thermal control systems, using experimental data of terrestrial model systems, built according to thermal-gravitational modelling and scaling laws”), discussed that such advanced thermal control systems are one of the key technologies needed for future applications within the framework of the NASA Authorization Act 2005. This act specifies a programme to be established to develop sustained human presence on the Moon, including a robust pre-curser programme to promote exploration, science, commerce and US preeminence in space, also as a stepping stone to future exploration of Mars and other planetary destinations.