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Thermal Performance Of Space Suit Elements With Aerogel Insulation For Moon And Mars ExplorationFlexible fiber-reinforced aerogel composites were studied for use as insulation materials of a future space suit for Moon and Mars exploration. High flexibility and good thermal insulation properties of fiber-reinforced silica aerogel composites at both high and low vacuum conditions make it a promising insulation candidate for the space suit application. This paper first presents the results of a durability (mechanical cycling) study of these aerogels composites in the context of retaining their thermal performance. The study shows that some of these Aerogels materials retained most of their insulation performance after up to 250,000 cycles of mechanical flex cycling. This paper also examines the problem of integrating these flexible aerogel composites into the current space suit elements. Thermal conductivity evaluations are proposed for different types of aerogels space suit elements to identify the lay-up concept that may have the best overall thermal performance for both Moon and Mars environments. Potential solutions in mitigating the silica dusting issue related to the application of these aerogels materials for the space suit elements are also discussed.
Document ID
20060017063
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Other
Authors
Tang, Henry H.
(Mei Technology Corp. United States)
Orndoff, Evelyne S.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Trevino, Luis A.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2006
Subject Category
Composite Materials
Report/Patent Number
SAE-06ICES-236
Meeting Information
Meeting: 2006 ICES
Location: Norfolk, VA
Country: United States
Start Date: July 17, 2006
End Date: July 20, 2006
Sponsors: Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc.
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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