In a groundbreaking development, researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) have pioneered a new cooling technology for satellites. This innovation, announced on July 3, 2025, promises to revolutionize thermal management in space, extending the lifespan and enhancing the performance of satellite electronics.
Led by Professor Mickey Clemon, the team developed heat sinks using a wax-based phase change material (PCM). This PCM transitions from solid to liquid within the operational temperature range of satellite electronics. The melting wax absorbs and stores heat, preventing overheating and allowing electronics to function longer.
The technology was successfully launched in August 2024 as part of the Waratah Seed Mission aboard a CubeSat. The satellite orbits every 90 minutes, alternating between sunlit and shadowed phases, allowing the team to study the effects of solar heating. Initial results show the heat sinks significantly extend operational time within a safe temperature range, even in microgravity.
"University-sponsored satellites have a very low success rate of making it into space, so we're exceptionally pleased to report that our system not only launched successfully but is functioning as designed," said Clemon. This advancement could impact future missions to Mars and beyond, where reliable electronic performance is crucial. The team's findings, published in the International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, offer a beacon of hope for the space-tech industry.