Light Weight Materials in Space Shuttle

Presentation by

Dr. Muhammad Kashif Khan

Manager (Design & Development)

SUPARCO

October 2011

1- Introduction

• Spacecraft flight- A fascinating story for children and adults• Countless benefits of space technology• Space engineering is not only limited to discovery of planets, stars, moons etc.

2- Use of Space Engineering

• Better understanding of universe• Weather prediction• Communication• Possible risks for earth• Estimated life of our planet

3- Effect of Space Environment on Materials

•Vacuum

• Radiation

• Temperature

• Thermal Cycling

• Atomic oxygen

• Micrometeoroids & Debris

3- Effect of Space Environment on Materials

• Space environment cause:i.Release of gases from materialsii.Corrosion iii.Radiations of sun which degrades the material propertiesiv.Space Debris

4- Development of Space Shuttles & Satellites

• Weight saving an important criteria• A single gram additional can cause extra-ordinary additional cost and energy• One gram of additional weight to space may cost extra several thousand dollars• Need of light weight but strong structures

4- Development of Space Shuttles & Satellites

• Space environment cause :i.Release of gases from materialsii.Corrosion iii.Radiations of sun which degrades the material propertiesiv.Space Debris

5- Light Weight Materials for Space Shuttle

Metals• Steel• Aluminum• Magnesium• Copper • Titanium

Mars Rover of TitaniumAluminum plates

5- Light Weight Materials for Space Shuttle

Composites• Carbon Fiber• Glass Fiber• Aramid Fiber

Different clothes of Glass Fiber

5- Light Weight Materials for Space Shuttle

Foams• Polyurethane• PVC• PMI• EPS PU Foams

EPS Foams

5- Light Weight Materials for Space Shuttle

Carbon-Nanotubes• Single Walled• Double Walled

• Possess excellent combination of physical, electrical and thermal properties. • An attractive option for structural integrity of high performance structures.

Single-Walled CNT Double-Walled CNT

5- Light Weight Materials for Space Shuttle

Sandwich Materials• Used extensively in space missions• Cores of light weight materials like Al, Foam, Wood, Paper etc.• Thin top and bottom layers of strong materials like Al, Carbon Fiber etc. are used

5- Light Weight Materials for Space Shuttle

Paints• Used for surface protection• Thermal control sub-systems• Corrosion protection• Identification of components

Thank You!!!!!