Space vehicle thermal management system and method for manufacture thereof

A space vehicle comprising:

• a first aluminum panel;
• a second aluminum panel fixed to the first aluminum panel around at least a portion of respective perimeters thereof to thereby form an enclosed structure having an interior volume;
• a plurality of grooves formed in at least one of the first aluminum panel or the second aluminum panel;
• at least one heat transport element positioned in at least one of the plurality of grooves;
• and
• a plurality of onboard equipment elements,
• wherein at least one of the plurality of onboard equipment elements is positioned adjacent to the heat transport element,
• wherein at least some of the plurality of onboard equipment elements lack a casing, and
• wherein the at least one heat transport element is configured to transport heat away from the plurality of onboard equipment elements.

A method comprising:

• providing a quantity of aluminum sheet metal;
• press-forming a first panel from the aluminum sheet metal to form a first stamped panel;
• press-forming a second panel from the aluminum sheet metal to form a second stamped panel;
• forming a plurality of grooves in at least one of the first stamped panel or the second stamped panel;
• positioning at least one heat transport element in at least one of the plurality of grooves;
• providing at least one onboard equipment component;
• fixing the at least one onboard equipment component to the first stamped panel,
• wherein at least one of the plurality of onboard equipment elements is positioned adjacent to the heat transport element,
• wherein at least some of the plurality of onboard equipment elements lack a casing, and
• wherein the at least one heat transport element is configured to transport heat away from the plurality of onboard equipment elements;
• sealing the first panel to the second panel to form a space vehicle.