Questions tagged [materials]
Questions pertaining to materials used for construction of space-worthy objects.
181 questions
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Exploring DNA-Based Hard Structures for Space Applications—Looking to learn more
I recently had a fascinating conversation with a student about to graduate with a master's in microbiology. He shared that he’s lined up a job where he'll work on developing "hard structures"...
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What's that material on the Varda capsule that looks like cake sugar icing?
Watching and listening to this amazing footage of the Varda capsule's atmospheric re-entry, what is the nature and role of the material used on the parts not subjected to the high temperatures of ...
user19132
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How to optimize hull composition to resist interstellar environment (radiation+cosmic rays) while keeping mass to minimum?
Keeping in mind the necessary characteristics of an interstellar ark traveling upwards of 1/10 the speed of light (functioning biosphere with water and atmospheric cycles, some sort of nuclear ...
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What materials are used for human spacecraft pressure vessels and why?
I'm looking for what specific aluminum alloys are used for human-rated spacecraft pressure vessels (habitable module) and why. I've been able to find the material for Orion is Al-2219 but nothing for ...
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The reason for using TiN on the perserverance's drill
Why did NASA use TiN coating for Perseverance's drill instead of coatings like TiAlN, AlTiN, TiAlCrN? I'm aware of the point of the TiN coating in terms of contamination, but it's a broad topic. ...
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What is ascent venting?
I am writing a report on CubeSat construction, and while reading Cal Poly's CDS I encountered the concept of ascent venting (or more specifically, the constraint that 'ascent venting per ventable ...
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How do companies get basic parts
I cant seem to understand how do get valves, tubes , bearings, o-rings or sensors for their rockets do they make them? Or from where do they get those?
10votes
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What material is the wrinkled fabric(?) seen on the outside of some capsules and what is its purpose?
For example, the silver material on the Soyuz capsule Or the white wrapping on Canadarm and other robotic modules on the ISS My best guess is that it's beta cloth, used for fireproofing spacesuits, ...
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How close are we to a space elevator, materially? [duplicate]
Under the most advanced design of the SE, what are the values of the (tensile) strength and other qualities of the materials needed? What are those of the best materials we have in our hands now?
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With what geometry would a McKendree cylinder be made of carbon nanotubes?
The goal of a McKendree cylinder is to achieve a larger radius than an O'Neill cylinder by using suitable very strong carbon allotropes instead of steel. The most obvious way to do this is to build a ...
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What material can a maser sail design use?
A quick recap for photon sails: Photon sails are conceptual spacecraft propulsion systems that would generate thrust from radiation pressure. Types of photon sails include solar sails, laser sails and ...
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Is the use of Nylon in satellites a bad idea?
I came across a video of someone from Northrop Grumman talking about how they don't use Nylon in satellites anymore as it accumulates charge which leads to arcing ( ). I ...
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What is "aerospace grade"?
I recently asked this question. There, I was also linked to this other question. Both, however, could benefit from the answer to one fundamental point. What is "aerospace grade"? If ...
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What makes aluminum aerospace grade?
So what is aerospace grade aluminum? Aerospace grade and regular aluminum are both aluminum. Do they have a different composition or strength? What makes one aerospace grade and the other one not?
2votes
1answer
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Antenna wrap material suitable for lunar & cis-lunar environment
I am looking for a wrap (station) antenna for a transceiver (in space/lunar) Not all materials are suitable for the space environment. Does anyone know what wrap antenna materials I can use? I have ...
