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Thermal Performance of Space Suit Elements with Aerogel Insulation for Moon and Mars Exploration
Technical Paper
2006-01-2235
ISSN: 0148-7191, e-ISSN: 2688-3627
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English
Abstract
Flexible 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.
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Authors
Citation
Tang, H., Orndoff, E., and Trevino, L., "Thermal Performance of Space Suit Elements with Aerogel Insulation for Moon and Mars Exploration," SAE Technical Paper 2006-01-2235, 2006, https://doi.org/10.4271/2006-01-2235.Also In
References
- Orndoff, Evelyne S. Trevino, Luis A. “Thermal Insulation Performance of Textile Structures for Spacesuit Application at Martian Pressure and Temperature” 2nd International Conference on Safety & Protective Fabrics April 27 2000
- Trevino, Luis A. Orndoff, Evelyne S. “Advanced Space Suit Insulation Feasibility Study” SAE 30th ICES Conference, No. 2000-01-2479 July 12 2000
- Trevino, Luis A. Orndoff, Evelyne S. Tang, Henry H. Gould, George L. Trifu, Roxana “Aerogels-Based Insulation for Advanced Space Suit” SAE 32nd ICES Conference, No 2002-01-2316 July 2002
- Tang, Henry H. Orndoff, Evelyne S. Trevino, Luis A. “Mechanical properties and durability Study of Aerogels Base Thermal insulation for Advanced Space Suit” SAE 33rd ICES Conference, No. 2003-01-2446 July 2003
- Aspen Aerogels, Inc. Website on Mount Everest event, http://www2.aerogel.com/blog/page/everest