MLI Reflective Layers
Aluminized Polyimide / Mylar Reflective Layer Stack
Multi-layer insulation reflective layers consist of stacks of 20 to 50 aluminized polyimide or Mylar films engineered to suppress radiative heat transfer across lunar infrastructure. The vapor-deposited aluminum coating reflects infrared radiation, while the polyimide substrate endures extreme temperature swings between -180 °C and +200 °C in the lunar vacuum. A baseline 30-layer configuration limits heat flux to 0.5 W/m² at 80 K. Over extended mission timelines, unshielded environmental radiation causes cumulative total ionizing dose degradation in the reflective coatings, requiring performance tracking and modular, robotically replaceable blanket panels to sustain a 50-year operational lifetime.
Aluminized polyimide (Kapton) or mylar reflective layers forming the core of multi-layer insulation blankets — typical 20-50 layers per blanket.
Purpose
Aluminized polyimide (Kapton) or mylar reflective layers forming the core of multi-layer insulation blankets — typical 20-50 layers per blanket.
Context
Child of L2-PTC-MLI within the Lunar Ark system
Principles
- ▸Aluminum coating reflects IR radiation
- ▸Polyimide substrate withstands -180 to +200 C
- ▸Mylar alternative for less demanding applications
- ▸Layer count optimised for mass vs thermal performance
- ▸Heat flux <0.5 W/m2 typical at 80 K outer / 20 K inner
Typical implementations
- ▸NASA Goddard MLI standard fabrication
- ▸ULA Centaur cryogenic insulation
- ▸JWST MLI heritage
Lunar considerations
- ▸Long-life polyimide preferred over mylar for 100-year mission
- ▸Cumulative TID effects on aluminum coating tracked
- ▸Robotic-replaceable blanket panels
Specifications
Functional
| primary function | Aluminized polyimide (Kapton) or mylar reflective layers forming the core of multi-layer insulation blankets — typical 20-50 layers per blanket. |
| layer count | 30 |
| heat flux w per m2 at 80k | 0.5 |
Physical
| mass kg | 20 |
| materials | Aluminized Kapton, Aluminized Mylar (alt), Aluminum vapor deposit |
| vacuum compatibility | True |
Operational
| power consumption w | 0 |
| thermal range c | -40, 70 |
| lifetime years | 50 |
| mtbf hours | 1000000 |
Interfaces
Provides
- Inner reflective layers
Requires
- MLI fabrication
Cite this entry
Lunar Ark Codex. "MLI Reflective Layers" (L3-PTC-MLI-LAYER). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://lunarark.com/entry/L3-PTC-MLI-LAYER
Licensed CC-BY-SA 4.0. You may reuse and adapt this entry with attribution, under the same licence.