 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Film created to protect small spacecraft
Lakewood, N.J. (UPI) Sep 3, 2008 U.S. researchers say they have developed a thin film designed to protect small spacecraft from temperature extremes, corrosion and micrometeor impacts. Scientists from the Ashwin-Ushas Corp. of New Jersey, led by Prasanna Chandrasekhar, conducted the research with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The scientists said their goal was to create ways of protecting smaller spacecraft weighing between 10 and 50 pounds. NASA said such low-cost small vehicles will comprise the majority of spacecraft in the future. Chandrasekhar and his team designed what they term a "thin-film variable emittance electrochromic device" -- a flexible film that changes color when given an electrical charge. Applied to micro-spacecraft, it switches color from light to dark based on exposure to harsh sunlight or extreme darkness, thereby protecting the spacecraft from extreme heat or cold, and from extremes in infrared radiation as well. The researchers said the film also has a protective layer of germanium silicon oxides to protect a spacecraft from the corrosive effects of atomic oxygen and from micrometeor impacts. The film was presented recently in Philadelphia during a national meeting of the American Chemical Society. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Share This Article With Planet Earth
Related Links Space Technology News - Applications and Research
North Korea marks long-range missile test
Seoul (AFP) Aug 31, 2008North Korea on Sunday celebrated the 10th anniversary of test-firing its Taepodong-1 long-range missile, which it claims to be the country's first satellite rocket launch. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
YahooMyWeb
Google
Facebook