Preliminary Design of a Space Habitat Thermally Controlled Using Phase Change Materials

We explore the preliminary design of a space habitat thermally controlled using phase change materials (PCMs). The PCM is used to maintain suitable, habitable temperature inside by isolating it from external solar radiation. system studied numerically considering only diffusive heat transport (conduction), scenario with practical application microgravity or reduced gravity environments. dynamics are explored for wide range governing parameters, including length cell L, thermo-optical properties—absorptivity α and emissivity ε—at boundary wall exposed radiation, eclipse (illumination) fraction τe (τi) cycle, used. find that properties at radiated boundary, characterized absorptivity–emissivity ratio (α/ε), play key role in response largely define optimal habitat. This optimum balances absorbed released during repeated illumination cycles.