Our Faculty Member's Research to Ensure Safer and More Efficient Operation of Spacecraft

The project titled "Development of Hybrid Material Heat Pipes for Use in Spacecraft," led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mete Budaklı, a faculty member at the ITU Astronautical Engineering Department, has been awarded support under the Research University Support Program (ADEP).

The project, within the scope of ADEP support, aims to develop hybrid material heat pipes for use in spacecraft. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mete Budaklı, a faculty member of the Astronautical Engineering Department, continues to lead the project, which involves international collaboration. The project team includes researchers from Istanbul Technical University, Gebze Technical University, Atatürk University, and Darmstadt Technical University (Germany).

Within the project's timeline, March 2025 - February 2028, the following are aimed:

• Investigating the fundamental working mechanisms of the heat pipes to be developed using experimental, numerical, and analytical approaches.

• Creating mathematical models and making predictions about their performance in virtual environments without gravity.

• Producing prototypes by reaching Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 from TRL 3 using new unique techniques and advanced materials.

The developed prototypes are planned to be subjected to comprehensive performance experiments at the Spacecraft Thermo-Fluidic Systems Laboratory (UZATAS Lab), which is currently being established within the scope of the project at the Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Furthermore, in the final stage of the project (2027/2028), the prototypes are planned to be tested in parabolic flights that can provide conditions equivalent to the space environment and will be carried out under the program framework of the European Space Agency (ESA).