Adaptive thermal control based on phase transition VO₂ films for spacecraft: Simulation and Experimental Assessment

Vanadium dioxide (VO 2 ) film used for intelligent temperature control have emerged as a pivotal solution for spacecraft thermal management due to their exceptional phase transition properties. To address stringent thermal control requirements in space environments, this work developed a finite element model and experimental platform tailored for VO₂ film. The finite element simulation was conducted to investigate the VO 2 thermal regulation performance in atmospheric and space conditions. The simulated heating rate of copper workpiece was validated through irradiation experiments. It was evidenced that with the increase of VO 2 film thickness, the surface transmittance of the film changes, which affects the temperature distribution of the copper workpiece. In the finite element simulation under vacuum conditions, the main factor controlling heat transfer is thermal radiation. And the heating of copper workpieces is influenced by the parameters of VO 2 and the workpiece itself, while the heating of VO 2 film is affected by the parameters of the quartz glass substrate and film itself. The numerical model was validated by irradiation experiments under atmospheric conditions. This work elucidates the thermoregulation mechanisms of VO 2 film, offering practical guidelines for structural optimization and advancing research on adaptive thermal control systems for aerospace applications.