/sci/ - Science & Math

>>9674711
Radiator fins are to get RID of heat.
No thermal cycle can turn 100% of the input heat into useful energy. The remainder has to be dumped somewhere and radiation is the only way to do that in a vacuum.

Black absorbs energy which falls on it -- but it's also best at emitting it. You just try to keep the radiators edge on to the Sun whenever possible.

This design is mainly radiator. It spins to generate centrifugal gravity for the crew and also to improve heat transfer in the radial tubing in the "parasol".
The reactor is at the bottom of the "handle" and the ion drive at mid-point, next to the landing craft.