Samantha Mathewson joined Space.com as an intern in the summer of 2016. She received a B.A. in Journalism and Environmental Science at the University of New Haven, in Connecticut. Previously, her work has been published in Nature World News.
Comets'We almost did have a really terrible day.' NASA now says Boeing's 1st Starliner astronaut flight was a 'Type A mishap'Satellite constellations could obscure most space telescope observations by late 2030s: 'That part of the image will be forever lost' A 16-inch square Project Cassandra demonstrator test sample.
Project Cassandra includes sensors and a heating element into a composite carbon-fiber material, allowing spacecraft to autonomously repair initial stages of damage.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsSign up to our monthly entertainment newsletter to keep up with all our coverage of the latest sci-fi and space movies, tv shows, games and books.Discover this week's must-see night sky events, moon phases, and stunning astrophotos. Sign up for our skywatching newsletter and explore the universe with us!Space.com's Sci-Fi Reader's Club. Read a sci-fi short story every month and join a virtual community of fellow science fiction fans!Spacecraft of the future may be able to detect and repair their own structural damage in orbit, a capability that could make long-duration missions and reusable launch vehicles more resilient.for spacecraft have been studied for years as engineers look for ways to detect and repair damage that occurs after launch. Now, new work supported by theand then repair them automatically using heat. The technology integrates embedded sensors, heating elements and a self-healing carbon-fiber composite into one structure, according to 'Some of the cracks had penetrated through': Chinese astronauts reveal new details about spacecraft that 'stranded' them in space last year What actually happens to a spacecraft during its fiery last moments? Here's why ESA wants to find out How color-changing, bacteria-infused spacesuits could help keep future astronauts safe from space radiation"Implementing this technology into our systems could have enormous benefits for space transportation," ESA's Bernard Decotignie said in the statement."It will help developThe technology, called Project Cassandra , uses a composite material known as HealTech, which contains a special healing agent embedded within the carbon-fiber layers. Carbon-fiber composites are widely used in spacecraft because they are lightweight and strong. However, over time they can develop microscopic cracks from launch vibrations, structural stresses or extreme. When heated, the HealTech material softens and allows the embedded healing agent to flow into small cracks, bonding damaged areas back together and restoring structural strength, according to the statement. To detect damage, engineers embedded fiber-optic sensors within the composite layers. These sensors continuously monitor the structure and can pinpoint the location of cracks or other defects. Once damage is detected, a network of small heating elements — arranged in lightweight— warms the affected area to around 212 to 284 degrees Fahrenheit , which activates the healing process and allows the material to repair itself.Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors Researchers have already tested prototype structures ranging from small samples to panels about 16 inches wide. Early tests show the system can detect cracks, distribute heat precisely to damaged areas and restore structural strength after repairs. Next, the team plans to test adapting the material to a larger shape such as a complete cryogenic fuel tank. The development of HealTech is a collaboration between Swiss companies CompPair and CSEM and the Belgian firm Com&Sens, through ESA's Future Innovation Research in Space Transportation program.space transportation systems, in which vehicles must withstand repeated launch and reentry cycles. Self-repairing structures could reduce inspection time and maintenance costs between flights while extending the lifetime of spacecraft components. The technology may also prove useful for parts exposed to extreme conditions, such as cryogenic propellant tanks that experience dramatic temperature swings. "I'm thrilled that we have demonstrated that HealTech composites with health monitoring and heating systems show autonomous damage sensing and healing and high resistance to micro-cracking," Cecilia Scazzoli, head of research and development for CompPair, said in the statement. "This makes them suited to the demanding requirements of propellant tanks and reusable space structures and paves the way for lighter, more maintainable spacecraft components," Scazzoli added. Samantha Mathewson joined Space.com as an intern in the summer of 2016. She received a B.A. in Journalism and Environmental Science at the University of New Haven, in Connecticut. Previously, her work has been published in Nature World News. When not writing or reading about science, Samantha enjoys traveling to new places and taking photos! You can follow her on Twitter @Sam_Ashley13. The Artemis 1 moon mission had a heat shield issue. Here’s why NASA doesn’t think it will happen again on Artemis 2 Enjoy 'For All Mankind' spinoff series 'Star City' anywhere with these VPN deals — save 74% off and a bonus free $50 Amazon voucher Enjoy Season 5 of 'For All Mankind' anywhere with these VPN deals — save 74% off and a bonus free $50 Amazon voucher The best cheap drone for beginners is now at its lowest-ever price on Amazon: Save 34% on the Potensic Atom SE I spoke to the writers behind the trippy new sci-fi novel 'Detour': 'Things don't need to be 100% correct, but they do have to be believable'
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