To browse Academia. This work presents a novel test facility designed to accurately measure the coefficient of moisture expansion in advanced composite materials, which is crucial for evaluating the performance and durability of materials used in spacecraft structures.
The facility addresses the challenges posed by new materials and complex engineering requirements, incorporating modern testing techniques. The findings demonstrate improved accuracy and reliability in understanding moisture-related expansion behaviors, vital for long-term planning and structural integrity in the aerospace sector. The paper presents the designing, technology, and characterising mechanical and damping properties of two types of structural components that might be useful in space applications.
The components struts were produced by the gas pressure infiltration of molten Mg into a preform of continuous carbon fibres. For comparison, also a non-reinforced component from pure Mg was prepared. The bending tests confirmed the results obtained by vibroacoustic testing and revealed that the stiffness of the reinforced structural component was approximately six times higher than that of the unreinforced Mg material. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, A study was undertaken to capture the best practices for the development of reliable and robust spacecraft structures for NASA's next generation cargo and crewed launch vehicles.
The processes that "make the right structural system" are examined along with the processes to "make the structural system right". The impact of technology advancements in materials and analysis and testing methods on reliability and robustness of spacecraft structures is studied.
The best practices and lessons learned are extracted from these studies. Since the first human space flight, the best practices for reliable and robust spacecraft structures appear to be well established, understood, and articulated by each generation of designers and engineers. However, these best practices apparently have not always been followed.
