A South Australian Government space industry grant will accelerate the commercialisation of new thermal energy technology being developed by an SA company, to help spacecraft and their systems withstand the extreme low temperatures on the moon.
entX has secured $200,000 under Round 2 of the South Australian Space Collaboration and Innovation Fund to help fast-track the development of its innovative space technology, by collaborating with leading international lunar exploration company, ispace.
entX has developed a prototype of its radioisotope heating unit (RHU), a device that protects spacecraft components and systems during the lunar night, where temperatures can drop to minus 190 degrees Celsius. Lunar night survival and thermal management are among the most critical challenges for spacecraft on the lunar surface.
entX’s technology can extend the lifespan of lunar missions from 10-14 days to a few months, by offering a safer, more cost-effective and accessible alternative heat source for lunar night survival, compared to traditional plutonium-based RHUs and battery solutions. entX and Japan’s ispace have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build collaboration opportunities around technology development, testing and demonstration, with the intention of working together to bring the RHU technology to market.
The partnership between entX and ispace may unlock opportunities for the technology to be used by ispace payload customers on future lunar missions.
entX is also engaging with US launch providers and regulatory bodies to gain flight heritage for the prototype in the US.
Image Supplied: (L-R) ispace Director & CFO Jumpei Nozaki and entX Limited Managing Director Bryn Jones
