BRAND-NEW
New Nano-Barrier Could Strengthen Spacecraft Payloads Airbus and the University of Surrey, England, have developed a
considerable costs and problems associated with using CFRPs in space
robust multilayer nano-barrier for ultra-lightweight and stable
missions,” says Professor Silva.
carbon fibre reinforced polymers. It could be used to build
Christian Wilhelmi, Head of Mechanical Subsystems and Research and
instruments for future space missions.
Technology at Airbus in Friedrichshafen, is equally positive: “The new nano-barrier, together with our ultra-high-modulus CFRP manufacturing
Airbus has been using carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRPs) on its
capability, will enable us to create the next generation
spacecraft and instrument structures for many years. Good examples
of non-outgassing CFRP materials, with much more dimensional
are the two GRACE FO satellites that are tracking movement of liquid
stability. Reaching this milestone gives us the confidence to look at
water, ice and land masses due to climate change, and BepiColombo
instrument-scale manufacturing to fully prove the technology.”
which will explore Mercury. On those type of missions CFRPs offer many
In future, the coating could offer significant benefits in other areas of
advantages; in particular a high strength to weight ratio.
Airbus’ business too. For example, increase of wear resistance, barrier
But applications are limited because the material absorbs moisture,
properties for many kinds of substances, protection from atomic
often released as gas during a mission. This affects the dimensional
oxygen erosion in Low Earth Orbit, adjustments of thermo-optical
stability and alignment of optical payload structures. Engineers can try
properties and more.
to minimise this problem by performing long, expensive procedures
“Years of cooperation with the University of Surrey, painstaking work
such as drying, recalibrations and bake-out – all of which may not
and collaboration with customers like ESA and DLR have rewarded us
completely resolve the issue.
with a leading-edge technology, with at least one order of magnitude
Now, scientists and engineers from Airbus and the University of Surrey
better performance than any other existing solution,” says
have found a solution: a multi-layered nano-barrier that bonds with
Paolo Bianco, R&T Cooperation Manager. “I’m delighted to see yet
the CFRP and eliminates the need for multiple bake-out stages and the
another R&T cooperation resulting in recognised, concrete technology
controlled storage required in its unprotected state.
that will soon fly.”
Professor Ravi Silva, Director of the Advanced Technology Institute
The new nano barrier could be used for upcoming earth, navigation
at the University of Surrey, is confident that the newly developed
and science programmes such as Copernicus Extension, Earth Explorer
reinforced composite is a “significant improvement over similar
and Science Cosmic Vision.
methods and materials already on the market.” In a paper published by
© Airbus
For further information:
www.airbus.com
scientific journal Nature Materials, the engineers showed that their thin barrier – measuring only sub-micrometres in thickness, compared to the tens of micrometres of current space mission coatings – is less susceptible to stress and contamination at the surface, keeping its integrity even after multiple thermal cycles. “These encouraging results suggest that our barrier could eliminate the
From left: Prof. Ravi Silva, Director of the Advanced Technology Institute at University of Surrey; Michal Delkowski, Development Engineer and Project Technical Lead at Airbus Friedrichshafen; Dr. Jose Anguita, Dr. Christopher Smith and James Hodges from the University of Surrey.
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