Methods and apparatus are provided for a lightweight heat rejection system
suitable for spacecraft applications. The apparatus comprises a manifold
configured with an array of heat pipes in thermal contact with a manifold
coolant. The heat pipes transfer the coolant heat to associated
bumper/radiators external to the manifold. The bumper/radiators are
fabricated from a lightweight thermally conductive foam material. The
bumper portion protects the heat pipe from space debris and the radiator
portion dissipates the heat transferred from the heat pipe through the
bumper to the radiator portion. The foam bumper/radiator can be cast over
the heat pipe in a relatively simple and economical manufacturing
process.