Past exam of the physics B course of the University of Cambridge / 2022 / Paper 2 / Section C / C9 / d / Solution

Let the spacecraft radius be $a$, and assume that heat redistribution keeps its whole surface at a common temperature $T$. Neglect background radiation, and let $R\gg r,a$. The Sun's luminosity, from the Stefan–Boltzmann law, isAt distance $R$, the incident irradiance is $F_S=L_S/(4\pi R^2)=\sigma T_S^4(r/R{)}^2$. The spacecraft intercepts radiation over its projected disc, area $\pi a^2$, but emits from its whole spherical area $4\pi a^2$. The radiative equilibrium condition is thereforeCancelling the common factors givesThe radius of the spacecraft cancels. The factor $1/\sqrt{2}$ follows from the ratio of absorbing projected area to emitting surface area. Uniform surface temperature is the intended additional idealization behind a single equilibrium surface temperature. A poorly conducting spacecraft would have position-dependent temperatures; for example, a locally reradiating patch facing the Sun would instead have $T_{\mathrm{subsolar}}=T_S\sqrt{r/R}$, and a different maximum-temperature constraint.