Advanced Materials for Next‐Generation Spacecraft

Levchenko, Igor; Bazaka, Kateryna; Belmonte, T.; Keidar, Michael; Xu, Shuyan

doi:10.1002/adma.201802201

Cited by 115 publications

(74 citation statements)

References 112 publications

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“…For the selected electric motor, the different types of commercial batteries available were taken into account: Acid lead, NiMH, NiCd, LiPo, and LiFePO4, although new materials for batteries in aerospace and aeronautical applications will be available in the coming years [79][80][81]. However, with the actual state of technology and market prices, it was concluded that the best battery to be used in the electric ALO is the lithium polymer (LiPo) battery.…”

Section: New Electronic Power Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Converting a Fixed-Wing Internal Combustion Engine RPAS into an Electric Lithium-Ion Battery-Driven RPAS

et al. 2020

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It is well proved that remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPASs) are very useful systems for remote sensing in precision agricultural labors. INTA (National Institute for Aerospace Applications) and the University of Huelva are involved in Tecnolivo Project that proposes the development of a marketable and easy-to-use technological solution that allows integrated, ecological, and optimized management of the olive grove through non-invasive monitoring of key agronomic parameters using RPASs. The information collected by the RPAS in regards to the state of the vegetation, such as hydric stress levels, plague detection, or maturation of the fruit, are very interesting for farmers when it comes to make decisions about their crops. Current RPAS applications for precision agriculture are mainly developed for small- to medium-sized crops using rotary-wing RPASs with small range and endurance operation, leaving aside large-sized crops. This work shows the conversion of a fully declassified and obsolete fixed-wing internal combustion engine (ICE) remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), used as aerial target for military applications and in reconnaissance and surveillance missions at low cost, into an electric lithium polymer (LiPo) battery-driven RPA that will be used for precision agriculture in large-sized crop applications, as well as other applications for tracking and monitoring of endangered animal species in national parks. This RPA, being over twenty years old, has undergone a deep change. The applied methodology consisted of the design of a new propulsion system, based on an electric motor and batteries, maintaining the main airworthiness characteristics of the aircraft. Some other novelties achieved in this study were: (1) Change to a more efficient engine, less heavy and bulky, with a greater ratio of torque vs. size. Modernization of the fly control system and geolocation system. (2) Modification of the type and material of the propeller, reaching a higher performance. (3) Replacement of a polluting fuel, such as gasoline, with electricity from renewable sources. (4) Development of a new control software, etc. Preliminary results indicate that the endurance achieved with the new energy and propulsion systems and the payload weight available in the RPA meet the expectations of the use of this type of RPAS in the study of large areas of crops and surveillance.

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Section: New Electronic Power Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Converting a Fixed-Wing Internal Combustion Engine RPAS into an Electric Lithium-Ion Battery-Driven RPAS

et al. 2020

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“…Proponents of Mars colonization consider present space technology as nearing the stage when it will be able to provide the necessary level of reliability and efficiency required for the one way journey from Earth to Mars. Indeed, a recent example of successful firing of thrusters on Voyager 1 after 37 years of space operation attests to our ability to overcome such significant challenges of spacecraft development as longevity, reliability, and operational readiness decades after launching. Ongoing advances in nanotechnology and materials engineering enhanced reliability and expanded functionality of contemporary electronics and robotics while reducing device mass, volume, and power consumption .…”

Section: Mars Colonization—do We Need It?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Mars Colonization: Beyond Getting There

Levchenko

Mazouffre

et al. 2018

Global Challenges

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Colonization of Mars: As humans gradually overcome technological challenges of deep space missions, the possibility of exploration and colonization of extraterrestrial outposts is being seriously considered by space agencies and commercial entities alike. But should we do it just because we potentially can? Is such an undoubtedly risky adventure justified from the economic, legal, and ethical points of view? And even if it is, do we have a system of instruments necessary to effectively and fairly manage these aspects of colonization? In this essay, a rich diversity of current opinions on the pros and cons of Mars colonization voiced by space enthusiasts with backgrounds in space technology, economics, and materials science are examined.

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“…[3][4][5] In recent decades, the space industry has demonstrated notable enthusiasm for small missions and ongoing advances in the manufacturing of space systems by small private companies, which take advantage of innovations made in other areas of science and technology. [6][7][8][9] As an outcome, more complex CubeSat and small satellite missions have been proposed, showing that CubeSats are transforming from being exclusively efficient systems to offer possibilities for broader space exploration. [6][7][8][9] As an outcome, more complex CubeSat and small satellite missions have been proposed, showing that CubeSats are transforming from being exclusively efficient systems to offer possibilities for broader space exploration.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This, in turn, impels the improvement of small satellites of the CubeSat standard. [6][7][8][9] As an outcome, more complex CubeSat and small satellite missions have been proposed, showing that CubeSats are transforming from being exclusively efficient systems to offer possibilities for broader space exploration. [10,11] In spite of the noteworthy advancements made in CubeSat and the innovative work in the development of small satellites during the recent decade, some principal materials-related issues still remain.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[19][20][21][22][23] However, novel materials are urgently needed to build the most advanced, miniaturized spacecraft. [7,11,[24][25][26] In this article, we describe a 3D-printed, reinforced multilayered material to be used for a gas supply system (high-pressure gas tank) for a CubeSat of 1U only, i.e., with standard dimensions 10 Â 10 Â 11 cm (Figure 1a,b). Building such a system is not a trivial task because the tank should be small (much smaller than 10 cm in at least two dimensions to ensure sufficient space for payload), light, and strong to withhold high pressure needed to provide an adequate amount of gas.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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3D‐Printed Multilayered Reinforced Material System for Gas Supply in CubeSats and Small Satellites

et al. 2019

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Further development of the near-Earth satellite infrastructure as well as plans for colonization of the Moon and Mars require innovative materials and technologies to produce efficient space assets capable of active functioning for several years. Therefore, the development of compact and efficient devices has bloomed exponentially. Critical components of such devices, propulsion systems that include thrusters, and feed and power systems, have to be efficient and compact. Moreover, these systems shall be simple and cheap, to satisfy the need for thousands of small satellites planned to be launched in the near future. Herein, the design of a 3D-printed, reinforced multilayered material system for gas supply to be used in CubeSats and small satellites of a 1U (10 Â 10 Â 11.3 cm) form factor is described. The main objective of the system is to provide 0.1 standard cubic centimeter per minute (sccm) of propellant to the thruster. To achieve that, a material system is designed for a propellant tank of %50 Â 100 mm.

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Advanced Materials for Next‐Generation Spacecraft

Cited by 115 publications

References 112 publications

Converting a Fixed-Wing Internal Combustion Engine RPAS into an Electric Lithium-Ion Battery-Driven RPAS

Converting a Fixed-Wing Internal Combustion Engine RPAS into an Electric Lithium-Ion Battery-Driven RPAS

Mars Colonization: Beyond Getting There

3D‐Printed Multilayered Reinforced Material System for Gas Supply in CubeSats and Small Satellites

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