WP2 – Building Blocks of Future Space Assets
Objectives
Compare the known and projected performances of 2D-Materials against thermo-mechanical and physical properties relevant for Space exploration.
Inputs
- Public databases, official standards, and simulation environments for EMI and radiation protection (ESA SPENVIS, NASA SRAG, NASA EMC Standards, ESA/CERN Geant4), NIST and NASA Thermophysical Properties Databases, JARVIS-2D (NIST), NASA Thermal Infrared Optical Properties Database, ESA Erasmus Archive, NASA Open Data archive, and on-ground literature.
Tasks
Assess the thermo-mechanical behaviour of 2D-based materials (e.g. thermal conductivity, phonon properties, thermal stability, heat capacity, temperature-dependent specific heat capacity and entropy, thermoelectric properties, infrared emissivity, absorptivity, and reflectivity) against the present Space solutions. Evaluate their potential as adaptive, morphing and meta-materials. Evaluate the integration of 2D-based materials in existing thermal management solutions.
In this task, the state-of-the-art data on 2D materials relevant to EMI shielding and radiation protection will be compared and matched against the properties of materials currently used in space applications. The assessment will integrate both experimental measurements and predictive computational models, offering a detailed evaluation of 2D materials’ potential advantages and limitations. A taxonomy of the different 2D-based solutions (composite, coatings, adaptative, morphing) will be created. Additionally, the task will outline key enabling pathways for the integration of 2D materials in next-generation space shielding technologies.
In this task, different aspects related to Space mobility will be considered as promising application domains for 2D-based materials: i) inter-planetary travels; ii) planetary re-entry.
Assess the role that 2D-based materials could play in emerging propellant-less technologies that generate thrust by exploiting the surrounding environment potentials (e.g., solar pressure, planetary magnetic fields, and planetary atmosphere).
The current solutions to protect spacecraft during planetary re-entry manoeuvers are mainly based on ablative materials (PICA, Avcoat, SLA-561V) or reusable insulating tiles (RCC and silica tiles). Composites integrating 2D materials such as graphene or MXenes have been proven as effective as the current solutions while assuring a consistent weight reduction. This task assesses the integration of 2D-based composites into mature and well-proven existing structures.
Risks & Mitigation
- Incomplete or outdated data. Existing databases are not updated for including 2D-based materials. Mitigation: cross-reference ESA/NASA space databases and academic sources.