LIGHTWEIGHT ELECTRICALLY POWERED FLEXIBLE THERMAL LAMINATE

A lightweight, active thermal control mechanism for spacecraft use comprised of woven or unwoven cross-layered yarns where one set of yarns are composed of flexible electrically conductive metal fibers which are capable of being resistanceheated by the application of voltage and another set of yarns which are electrically non-conductive and flexible. The nonconductive yarns provide mechanical strength and preclude the passage of electrical current between metal yarns by virtuc of the spacing between them. A lightweight, electrically nonconductive film is bonded to the cross-layered yarns to protect the metal yarns from the elements (minimize electrical shorts from moisture, e.g., rain), provide additional strength to the fabric and to prevent the conductive loss of heat in nonvacuum applications. The non-conductive film is metalized on its obverse side to provide a more uniform heat load distribution.