Jun 30, 2026
研究
The on-orbit demonstration results of a satellite power system temperature stabilization device using a VO₂-based solid–solid phase change material (SSPCM), onboard DENDEN-01—the first satellite developed by Kansai University—have been published in Aerospace Science and Technology.
M.R. Yamagata, Y. Wakita, A. Fujita, K. Miyata, T. Matsumoto, Y. Aoyanagi, First on-orbit demonstration of a VO₂-based solid-solid phase change material for passive temperature stabilization of a satellite battery module: Flight results from the 1U CubeSat DENDEN-01, Aerosp. Sci. Technol. 178 (2026) 113048.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ast.2026.113048
=Abstract=
Effective thermal management remains a critical challenge for nanosatellites where severe power and mass constraints often preclude the use of active thermal control systems. This paper reports the first on-orbit demonstration of a VO2-based solid–solid phase change material (SSPCM) for passive temperature stabilization of a satellite battery module, realized through a thermal control device integrated into the battery module of the 1U CubeSat DENDEN-01. Prior to launch, the fabricated battery module was validated through ground-based thermal vacuum and charge-discharge tests, which confirmed stable thermal and electrochemical performance over repeated cycles. Following deployment from the International Space Station (ISS), the satellite experienced diverse thermal environments, including high-beta-angle hot cases and eclipse-dominated cold cases. The on-orbit performance of the SSPCM-based temperature-stabilizing device was evaluated under these distinct operational conditions. In the hot case, the battery module temperature remained well above the phase transition point, exhibiting behavior primarily governed by the sensible heat capacity of the SSPCM, similar to other onboard components. In contrast, during the cold case, the battery module maintained a stable temperature near the phase transition range while the communication unit and external panels dropped to significantly lower temperatures. The observation of a distinct temperature plateau during the heating phase confirmed that the thermal response was governed by latent heat absorption associated with the solid-solid phase transition. These results demonstrate that VO2-based SSPCM can effectively stabilize the temperature of CubeSat battery modules in actual low-Earth-orbit thermal environments, highlighting its potential as a practical, passive thermal control solution for future nanosatellite power systems.
