a thermal management system particularly adapted for a portable lightweight opaque projector dissipates the heat generated within the projector by the projector light source in a controlled fashion , while maintaining the exterior of the projector in a moderate temperature range . opposed sidewalls of the enclosed interior illumination chamber of the projector are provided with alongated planar heat sink surfaces which are coated with a flat black finish which is highly absorptive of infrared as well as visible radiation . the heat sink surfaces are mounted spaced from the adjacent interior sidewall of the projector , such that an air channel or plenum is formed between the heat sinks and the adjacent sidewall . exhaust fans draw air out from the interior of the projector and through these air channels to thereby remove heat absorbed by the heat sinks . the exterior sidewalls of the projector opposite the heat sinks are provided with a passive heat dissipation mechanism . this takes the form of a plastic outer panel which overlies the outboard side of each of the aforementioned opposed sidewalls . the plastic outer panel defines a plurality of vertical air spaces or channels between the plastic panel and the adjacent sidewall of the projector . air convection through these air channels cools these sidewalls , with the plastic panels further providing thermal insulation . yet a third heat dissipation mechanism is provided for deflecting as well as absorbing heat in the area of the fans , which overlie the light source . objectionable heat transfer from the light source to the fans is thus eliminated .