Systems and methods for satellite thermal management

A method for managing thermal conditions in a satellite, comprising:

• generating electrical power using a plurality of photovoltaic cells;
• transmitting and receiving signals through an active array antenna that includes a plurality of transmit-receive (T/R) modules, each T/R module comprising a power amplifier;
• spreading heat across the satellite using a thermal core, wherein the thermal core is thermally coupled to the plurality of photovoltaic cells and the active array antenna;
• disposing a phase-change material (PCM) element within the thermal core, wherein the PCM element is thermally coupled to the plurality of T/R modules;
• and
• radiating heat generated by the plurality of T/R modules through one or more of the plurality of photovoltaic cells.

A satellite, comprising:

• a plurality of photovoltaic cells disposed on one or more faces of the satellite, wherein each photovoltaic cell is configured to generate electrical power;
• an active array antenna comprising a plurality of transmit-receive (T/R) modules, wherein each T/R module is configured to transmit and receive signals, and wherein each T/R module comprises a power amplifier;
• a thermal core thermally coupled to the plurality of photovoltaic cells and the active array antenna, the thermal core configured to spread heat across the satellite;
• and
• a phase-change material (PCM) element disposed within the thermal core and thermally coupled to the plurality of T/R modules;
• wherein one or more of the plurality of photovoltaic cells are configured to radiate heat generated by the plurality of T/R modules.