ABSTRACT
Radiation interchange among surface areas is required for calculation of heat transfer, illumination engineering, and applied optics. Studies have been conducted for many years, as evidenced by the publication dates of d’Aguillon (1613) and Charle (1888). Since 1960, the study of radiative transfer has been given impetus by technological advances that provided systems in which thermal radiation is very important. Examples abound and include radiant heating, curing, and surface modi¢cation systems, satellite temperature control, devices for collection and utilization of solar energy, advanced engines with increased operating temperatures, reduction of energy leakage into cryogenic fuel storage tanks, and space station power systems and thermal control during spacecraft into planetary atmospheres.
