Uploaded May 2017 | Updated September 2026, 4 hours ago
Team Nacre:
Chris Yi (cwy8xz), Ryan Berman (rjb3fp), Kian Lawlor (kl9zx), Michael Jeong (mwj2pf)
We will explore the materials involved in spacecraft heat shielding, specifically Multilayer Insulation on the International Space Station. Sending vessels to live on into space involves unique challenges. These materials must be able to endure an extreme environment for as long as there is a crew on board. Additionally, these materials must be lightweight in order to maximize fuel efficiency for initial deployment. A viable heat shielding material for a spacecraft must therefore be lightweight to minimize launch costs, tough to survive the stresses of spaceflight, be able to operate in a huge temperature range (3-3200 K), reflect large amounts of the sun's radiation, and contain enough heat inside the vessel. Thermal insulation in space must externally reflect radiation transfer (the absence of an atmosphere means conduction and convection are not issues). But it must also internally retain its heat so the temperature inside can be regulated. The focus material is multi-layer insulation (MLI) which satisfies all of these requirements because each of its component layers satisfy at least one requirement. The unique challenges of thermal insulation and protection in spaceflight give rise to entire classes of unique materials with very interesting properties that attempt to balance both efficiency and effectiveness and, oftentimes, non-space applications.
References:
Finckenor, M. (1999). Multilayer Insulation Material Guidelines. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Retrieved from ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19990047691.pdf
Dupont Kevlar Technical Guide. Dupont. Retrieved from dupont.com/content/dam/dupont/products-and-services/fabrics-fibers-and-nonwovens/fibers/documents/DPT_Kevlar_Technical_Guide_Revised.pdf
Dupont Mylar Physical Thermal Properties. Dupont. Retrieved from dupontteijinfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Mylar_Physical_Properties.pdf
Price, S., Phillips, T., Knier, G. (2001, March 21). Staying Cool on the ISS. NASA. Retrieved from science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2001/ast21mar_1
Vacuum Metalizing Process Overview. MuellerCorp. Retrieved from muellercorp.com/vacuum-metalizing-process
What is Mylar?. Sorbent Systems. Retrieved from sorbentsystems.com/mylarinfo.html
Temperature-Resistant Materials Enable Space-Like Cold on Earth. NASA. Retrieved from spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2016/ip_3.html
Clips/Videos used:
Gold & Casio Watch - Periodic Table of Videos. Retrieved from youtube.com/watch?v=7dF0QTzcuac
HPF Multi Layer Insulation (MLI) Blankets. Retrieved from youtube.com/watch?v=vRh0Jkqd27Q
Life on Station. Retrieved from youtube.com/watch?v=X9vOoXU56K
Image Sources:
3c1703fe8d.site.internapcdn.net/newman/gfx/news/hires/2016/imagemultila.jpg
online-sciences.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ways-of-heat-transfer-77.jpeg
pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/641353910561566720/VSxsyxs7.jpg
static.wixstatic.com/media/8d26df_b1ac627ffa134557a9967317ad0e4219.jpg
askideas.com/media/30/Funny-Sweating-Man-Image.jpg
evacuumstore.com/images/category/large/2209.jpg
bonecollection.com/resources/product/gallery/item_237_field_32/original/littlegreenmandriver-color-g-1.jpg
thebestbikelock.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/lightweight-bike-locks.jpg
tophdimgs.com/443215-shiny.html
www1.pictures.zimbio.com/mp/acN_O72JRffx.jpg
i1.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/019/993/54f43156b5d80.png
conney.com/WEBSPHERE/FULLSIZE/Z11287.GIF
img1.exportersindia.com/product_images/bc-small/dir_48/1435649/aluminium-can-2032072.jpg
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Aramid_fiber2.jpg/250px-Aramid_fiber2.jpg
icmm.csic.es/fis/g/evaporacion_termica_in.gif
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/MultiLayerInsulationCloseup.jpg/330px-MultiLayerInsulationCloseup.jpg
images.pcmac.org/SiSFiles//SCHOOLS/AZ/ThatcherUSD/JackDaleyPrimary/Uploads/Other//%7B5A680224-2B97-40D1-BC51-61880A665E2D%7D_no20balloons.jpg
caplinq.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/1mil_Polyimide_F_501a529a50b33.jpg
Team Nacre:
Chris Yi (cwy8xz), Ryan Berman (rjb3fp), Kian Lawlor (kl9zx), Michael Jeong (mwj2pf)
We will explore the materials involved in spacecraft heat shielding, specifically Multilayer Insulation on the International Space Station. Sending vessels to live on into space involves unique challenges. These materials must be able to endure an extreme environment for as long as there is a crew on board. Additionally, these materials must be lightweight in order to maximize fuel efficiency for initial deployment. A viable heat shielding material for a spacecraft must therefore be lightweight to minimize launch costs, tough to survive the stresses of spaceflight, be able to operate in a huge temperature range (3-3200 K), reflect large amounts of the sun's radiation, and contain enough heat inside the vessel. Thermal insulation in space must externally reflect radiation transfer (the absence of an atmosphere means conduction and convection are not issues). But it must also internally retain its heat so the temperature inside can be regulated. The focus material is multi-layer insulation (MLI) which satisfies all of these requirements because each of its component layers satisfy at least one requirement. The unique challenges of thermal insulation and protection in spaceflight give rise to entire classes of unique materials with very interesting properties that attempt to balance both efficiency and effectiveness and, oftentimes, non-space applications.
References:
Finckenor, M. (1999). Multilayer Insulation Material Guidelines. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Retrieved from ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19990047691.pdf
Dupont Kevlar Technical Guide. Dupont. Retrieved from dupont.com/content/dam/dupont/products-and-services/fabrics-fibers-and-nonwovens/fibers/documents/DPT_Kevlar_Technical_Guide_Revised.pdf
Dupont Mylar Physical Thermal Properties. Dupont. Retrieved from dupontteijinfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Mylar_Physical_Properties.pdf
Price, S., Phillips, T., Knier, G. (2001, March 21). Staying Cool on the ISS. NASA. Retrieved from science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2001/ast21mar_1
Vacuum Metalizing Process Overview. MuellerCorp. Retrieved from muellercorp.com/vacuum-metalizing-process
What is Mylar?. Sorbent Systems. Retrieved from sorbentsystems.com/mylarinfo.html
Temperature-Resistant Materials Enable Space-Like Cold on Earth. NASA. Retrieved from spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2016/ip_3.html
Clips/Videos used:
Gold & Casio Watch - Periodic Table of Videos. Retrieved from youtube.com/watch?v=7dF0QTzcuac
HPF Multi Layer Insulation (MLI) Blankets. Retrieved from youtube.com/watch?v=vRh0Jkqd27Q
Life on Station. Retrieved from youtube.com/watch?v=X9vOoXU56K
Image Sources:
3c1703fe8d.site.internapcdn.net/newman/gfx/news/hires/2016/imagemultila.jpg
online-sciences.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ways-of-heat-transfer-77.jpeg
pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/641353910561566720/VSxsyxs7.jpg
static.wixstatic.com/media/8d26df_b1ac627ffa134557a9967317ad0e4219.jpg
askideas.com/media/30/Funny-Sweating-Man-Image.jpg
evacuumstore.com/images/category/large/2209.jpg
bonecollection.com/resources/product/gallery/item_237_field_32/original/littlegreenmandriver-color-g-1.jpg
thebestbikelock.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/lightweight-bike-locks.jpg
tophdimgs.com/443215-shiny.html
www1.pictures.zimbio.com/mp/acN_O72JRffx.jpg
i1.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/019/993/54f43156b5d80.png
conney.com/WEBSPHERE/FULLSIZE/Z11287.GIF
img1.exportersindia.com/product_images/bc-small/dir_48/1435649/aluminium-can-2032072.jpg
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Aramid_fiber2.jpg/250px-Aramid_fiber2.jpg
icmm.csic.es/fis/g/evaporacion_termica_in.gif
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/MultiLayerInsulationCloseup.jpg/330px-MultiLayerInsulationCloseup.jpg
images.pcmac.org/SiSFiles//SCHOOLS/AZ/ThatcherUSD/JackDaleyPrimary/Uploads/Other//%7B5A680224-2B97-40D1-BC51-61880A665E2D%7D_no20balloons.jpg
caplinq.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/1mil_Polyimide_F_501a529a50b33.jpg
