Air Force Space Power and Thermal Management Technology: Requirements for the Early 21st Century

Typical projections for military space power and thermal management technologies have posited requirements for high powered and highly survivable systems. Recent changes in defense needs, however, will require spacecraft that are smaller, lower powered, less survivable, and highly proliferated. Technologies will be developed to provide low cost, ultra-light, high power density, “smart” conventional power systems. Compact nuclear power systems will also be developed to meet higher power needs.