Architecture Reference
Lunar Thermal Architecture

Stacked Solar-Shade
Radiator Architecture

A Dual-Use Thermal Rejection and Power Generation Configuration for Lunar Surface Platforms
Aaron Smith — Independent Systems Architect · February 2026

A stacked configuration in which a photovoltaic solar array is mounted above a horizontal flat-plate radiator, simultaneously generating electrical power and shading the radiator from direct solar flux. The architecture eliminates the primary parasitic thermal load on lunar surface radiators, achieving consistent rejection performance independent of rover heading or sun angle — a key enabler for autonomous, long-duration surface mobility.

302
W/m² net rejection
(shaded, clean)
≤0.15
Backside ε
(key enabler)
~2 cm
CG rise on
2,000 kg platform
Pressurized Rovers
Unpressurized Rovers
Surface Habitats
ISRU Equipment
Logistics Nodes
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