The next iLAuNCH Trailblazer project aims to reduce weight in satellites through the additive manufacturing of lightweight and thermally stable composite structures that will ultimately save on the cost to access space.
Teaming up with The Australian National University and industry partner New Frontier Technologies, this iLAuNCH Trailblazer project will develop a material solution based on carbon fiber.
In LEO, spacecraft are exposed to a range of environmental hazards that can damage their structural integrity, including UV irradiation, atomic oxygen, high energy particles, and space debris.
These environmental hazards can cause surface erosion, cracking, and delamination of composite materials, which can lead to a reduction in the mechanical properties of the material and can compromise the structural integrity of the spacecraft.
The project will leverage material research capacity in the Research School of Physics at the Australian National University; including nanomaterials fabrication and characterization, x-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging, and space testing capability at the Australian Advanced Instrumentation Centre (AITC) at Mt. Stromlo.
The coatings will be based on nanomaterial technology developed using the expertise of ANU. This activity will demonstrate innovative nanomaterial technology, novel designs for increased structural efficiency and rapid precision manufacturing of satellite components with a huge cost benefit to decreases in weight while maintaining technical performance.
“The target applications are satellite structures such as struts, booms and reflectors. The primary aim of the project is the development and validation of carbon-fibre/thermoplastic composite structures for these applications with coatings that provide improved radiation shielding and resistance to atomic oxygen degradation. The strength to weight ratio of these materials will allow a substantial reduction in mass which is a fantastic benefit to space applications. We will develop coating application methods that are compatible with our automated composites manufacturing technology to produce structures that are lightweight, to help to reduce launch costs, and have added protection once deployed in the harsh space environment.” — Paul Compston, Director and CEO, New Frontier Technologies
“We are pleased to partner with New Frontier Technologies. We will use our expertise in nanomaterial science and characterization capabilities to develop and optimize robust coatings that meet performance requirements for space applications.” — Professor Patrick Kluth, Australian National University’s Research School of Physics