Materials for Space Shuttle
By: Monsa, Chris, Alex, Aliya
 We studied materials for space shuttles. It is very complicated so we stopped
using Google Scholar.
 We separated into two teams: external materials and internal materials,
specifically the outer shell and inner works such as wiring and hinges.
What they Look Like
 In general most of the structures on spacecraft are made of aluminum or carbon
composites. This is to make them as light as possible, and to ensure the strength
of the materials. The composition is usually designed to withstand great heat.
 Other special materials are also used on spacecraft in certain places. For example;
where they may get very hot from entry or from burning rocket fuel, there are
materials that can take extreme heat to protect the underlying surfaces.
 To protect against high temperatures space shuttles (orbiters) use a detailed
thermal protection system (TPS).
 The TPS is made up of over 24000 tiles on the outside of the shuttle. They work
to insulate the aluminum skin of the craft.
 They are coated in ceramic to reflect solar radiation.
 http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/mars/ask/about-nasa/Material_used_for_spaceships_.txt
 Source: Orbital Thermal Protection System: www.pao.ksc.nasa.gov/nasafacts/tps.htm
 The previous slide shows a side view of the schematics of the materials used in an
average NASA orbiter.
 The part that looks like bricks is Reinforced Carbon-Carbon, a composite material
consisting of carbon fibre reinforcement in a matrix of graphite, often with a
coating of silicon carbide to prevent oxidization. It is used in nose cones because
it can take great heat.
 The part with short stripes is Advanced Flexible Reusable Surface Insulation, a
blanket of insulation made of low-density fibrous silica batting (lots of silica). It
too can withstand great heat.
 The part with dots is Felt Reusable Surface Insulation, a Nomex material that
serves to isolate the tiles from the Orbiter’s structural deflections, expansions and
acoustic excitation, basically stopping the tiles from breaking.
 Finally, the part that’s dark with white dots is metal or glass, and is very minimal
in comparison with other parts. These parts allow astronauts to view outwardly,
and take a small part in a back panel and part of the tail.
 http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/technology/sts-newsref/sts-tps.html#sts-frsi
 http://www.space1.com/Artifacts/Space_Shuttle_Artifacts/AFRSI_Blanket/AFRS
I_Blanket_Details/afrsi_blanket_details.html
 http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/technology/sts-newsref/sts_sys.html
 The hinges on the space shuttles are made of an alloy called inconel, which can
withstand high temperatures.
 Bulk metallic glasses are emerging as popular structural components, because
they have great strength and are resistant to corrosion.
 http://www.aero.org/publications/crosslink/fall2006/01.html