Experimental Radiation Cooled Magnetrons for Space Use WILLIAM C. BROWN1 SUMMARY The microwave generator in the Solar Power Satellite has a heat disposal problem when it converts the DC power taken from the solar photovoltaic arrays into microwave power for transmission from geosynchronous orbit to Earth. This paper addresses this general problem, provides a theoretical analysis as applied to a magnetron, and presents some confirming experimental data obtained from the QKH 2244 magnetron that was developed for an experimental beam power transmission system at the Center for Space Power at Texas A&M University. Introduction An important problem of all systems in space is the disposal of any heat that is generated when converting one form of energy into another form. Heat can be disposed of ultimately only by radiating it into space. One obvious solution to the problem is to make the energy conversion process so efficient that no waste heat is generated in the process. If this is not possible, then it is desirable to have the heat generated at a high temperature so that it can be transferred to space by taking advantage of the dependency of radiated heat flux density upon the 4th power of the radiating temperature.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTU5NjU0Mg==