Objective
Space electronics systems employ enclosures to shield sensitive components from space radiation. The purpose of shielding is to attenuate the energy of charged particles as they pass through the shield material, such that the energy per unit mass (or dose) absorbed in silicon is sufficiently below the maximum dose ratings of electronic components. The standard practice in space hardware is the use of aluminium as both a radiation shield and structural enclosure.
Depending on mission altitude and inclination, and the dose rating of electronics, the thickness of aluminium necessary for shielding can substantially exceed that required for structural strength, resulting in significant weight penalties. Satellite designers use composite materials which have higher strength-to-weight ratios than aluminium. However, conventional graphite epoxy composites are not as efficient shielding materials as aluminium because of their lower density, that is, for the same mass, composites provide 30 to 40% less radiation attenuation than aluminium. Conversely, for the same radiation attenuation, the composites tend to be 30 to 40% thicker than aluminium.
The main objective of this project is the development of the technologies and tools required to obtain lightweight, safe, robust and reliable composite structures.
The proposal aims to review and develop radiation shielding of composite enclosures to high energy radiation in space. The radiation strategies, modelling and test for space equipment demonstrators will be performed. Countermeasures as tungsten layers, sprayed metallic coating and nano-conductive materials will be evaluated at simple samples to assess its shielding capabilities for the composites boxes. The activity will also adapt to enhance analytical tools and the capabilities, procedures and quality for the radiation facilities directed to composite testing, specially related to deep missions.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcomposites
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrytransition metals
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringsatellite technology
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrypost-transition metals
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and films
Programme(s)
Call for proposal
FP7-SPACE-2010-1
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
CP - Collaborative project (generic)Coordinator
20009 DONOSTIA-SAN SEBASTIAN (GIPUZKOA)
Spain