Published: 15 Nov 2024
A new generation of space materials have docked at the
International Space Station (ISS), where they will undergo testing in the
brutal conditions of low Earth orbit.
Developed at the University of Bristol, these
high-performance materials could be used to build future space bases,
spacecraft for interplanetary travel or a new ISS.
They will be placed on the Bartolomeo platform, located on
the front of the ISS, where they will orbit Earth up to 9,000 times over the
next 12 to 18 months at speeds of 17,000 mph.
The carbon fibre reinforced composites will need to survive
temperatures between -150ºC and +120ºC, space debris travelling seven times
faster than a bullet, severe electromagnetic radiation, high vacuum and atomic
oxygen, which erodes even the toughest materials.
Prof Ian Hamerton,
Professor of Polymers and Sustainable Composites in the University of Bristol’s
world-leading Bristol Composites Institute, said: “Space is the most
challenging environment for which to design new materials. You’re pitting your
materials expertise, skills and ingenuity against extremes of temperature,
mechanical stress, radiation, high speed impacts and more.
“Any one of those might be difficult, and, unfortunately,
gaining access to repair them is not an easy option, so the materials we build
must survive without maintenance. The opportunity to test our materials in the
proving ground of space is priceless and will help our University of Bristol
scientists on the ground improve fibre-reinforced materials for next-generation
space missions.”, he added.
There are four laboratory-made polymers being tested on the
ISS, each of which has been reinforced with carbon fibres and two contain
nanoparticles. All four are the result of University of Bristol research and
one is patented.
If the materials cope in the harsh environment, they could
be used to create longer-lasting space components, allowing spacecraft to
travel further, and spend more time in space.
Future communities on new planets will need protection
against galactic cosmic radiation.
Dr. Ali Kandemir,
Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol, is one of several
Bristol researchers, supported by the UK Space Agency (UKSA), examining the
effects of simulated galactic cosmic radiation on the materials, in a European
Space Agency (ESA) project.
Dr Kandemir said- “We want materials that are resilient in
the space environment and, importantly, materials that can shield humans from
that radiation. We also want to make these materials sustainable, so that
when they reach the end of their life they can be recycled and used again for
the same purpose.”
Dr Kyungil Kong,
another Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol, said: "I'm
pleased to see the news about the Space X Dragon CRS-2 spacecraft. This launch
is a significant milestone in space materials research. With the support of the
UK Space Agency, high-performance, durable composites have been specifically
designed for the extreme conditions of space and this mission will be essential
in validating the resilience of these materials. I am celebrating alongside my
colleagues who have put so much effort into making this a reality. We’re all
excited to see how our materials perform in actual space conditions and eager
to continue supporting innovations that make long-term space exploration
possible."
The launch of the Space X Dragon CRS-2 spacecraft this
morning is the culmination of five years of work for Prof Hamerton and his
team. It has included the efforts of early career researchers, postgraduates
and several Aerospace Engineering undergraduates at the University of Bristol,
whose final year research projects have been linked to the space materials
project.
The practical support of the University of Bristol-hosted
National Composites Centre (NCC) was crucial to the scale up of the composite
materials.
Prof Kate Robson
Brown, Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact at University
College Dublin, and a collaborator on the project, said: “After nearly
five years of research to develop novel composite materials for space
applications it is very exciting to see our experiment launch to the
International Space Station.
I am proud to be part of this mission, and to be working with the
multidisciplinary and multisector research team to deliver integrated real
world and digital testing for innovative materials which will help to drive
growth in the new space economy. This mission also demonstrates how space
research funding creates career changing opportunities for early career
researchers and PhD students in a sector of huge value to both Ireland and the
UK.”
Funding to support the project was supplied by the ESA, the
UKSA, Oxford Space Systems and others. The University of Bristol’s MSc in
Advanced Composites is based at the BCI.
Source - www.bristol.ac.uk
Published: 15 Nov 2024
A new generation of space materials have docked at the
International Space Station (ISS), where they will undergo testing in the
brutal conditions of low Earth orbit.
Developed at the University of Bristol, these
high-performance materials could be used to build future space bases,
spacecraft for interplanetary travel or a new ISS.
They will be placed on the Bartolomeo platform, located on
the front of the ISS, where they will orbit Earth up to 9,000 times over the
next 12 to 18 months at speeds of 17,000 mph.
The carbon fibre reinforced composites will need to survive
temperatures between -150ºC and +120ºC, space debris travelling seven times
faster than a bullet, severe electromagnetic radiation, high vacuum and atomic
oxygen, which erodes even the toughest materials.
Prof Ian Hamerton,
Professor of Polymers and Sustainable Composites in the University of Bristol’s
world-leading Bristol Composites Institute, said: “Space is the most
challenging environment for which to design new materials. You’re pitting your
materials expertise, skills and ingenuity against extremes of temperature,
mechanical stress, radiation, high speed impacts and more.
“Any one of those might be difficult, and, unfortunately,
gaining access to repair them is not an easy option, so the materials we build
must survive without maintenance. The opportunity to test our materials in the
proving ground of space is priceless and will help our University of Bristol
scientists on the ground improve fibre-reinforced materials for next-generation
space missions.”, he added.
There are four laboratory-made polymers being tested on the
ISS, each of which has been reinforced with carbon fibres and two contain
nanoparticles. All four are the result of University of Bristol research and
one is patented.
If the materials cope in the harsh environment, they could
be used to create longer-lasting space components, allowing spacecraft to
travel further, and spend more time in space.
Future communities on new planets will need protection
against galactic cosmic radiation.
Dr. Ali Kandemir,
Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol, is one of several
Bristol researchers, supported by the UK Space Agency (UKSA), examining the
effects of simulated galactic cosmic radiation on the materials, in a European
Space Agency (ESA) project.
Dr Kandemir said- “We want materials that are resilient in
the space environment and, importantly, materials that can shield humans from
that radiation. We also want to make these materials sustainable, so that
when they reach the end of their life they can be recycled and used again for
the same purpose.”
Dr Kyungil Kong,
another Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol, said: "I'm
pleased to see the news about the Space X Dragon CRS-2 spacecraft. This launch
is a significant milestone in space materials research. With the support of the
UK Space Agency, high-performance, durable composites have been specifically
designed for the extreme conditions of space and this mission will be essential
in validating the resilience of these materials. I am celebrating alongside my
colleagues who have put so much effort into making this a reality. We’re all
excited to see how our materials perform in actual space conditions and eager
to continue supporting innovations that make long-term space exploration
possible."
The launch of the Space X Dragon CRS-2 spacecraft this
morning is the culmination of five years of work for Prof Hamerton and his
team. It has included the efforts of early career researchers, postgraduates
and several Aerospace Engineering undergraduates at the University of Bristol,
whose final year research projects have been linked to the space materials
project.
The practical support of the University of Bristol-hosted
National Composites Centre (NCC) was crucial to the scale up of the composite
materials.
Prof Kate Robson
Brown, Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact at University
College Dublin, and a collaborator on the project, said: “After nearly
five years of research to develop novel composite materials for space
applications it is very exciting to see our experiment launch to the
International Space Station.
I am proud to be part of this mission, and to be working with the
multidisciplinary and multisector research team to deliver integrated real
world and digital testing for innovative materials which will help to drive
growth in the new space economy. This mission also demonstrates how space
research funding creates career changing opportunities for early career
researchers and PhD students in a sector of huge value to both Ireland and the
UK.”
Funding to support the project was supplied by the ESA, the
UKSA, Oxford Space Systems and others. The University of Bristol’s MSc in
Advanced Composites is based at the BCI.
Source - www.bristol.ac.uk
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