Advanced materials for space applications

Proposed future concepts for space transportation systems offer new services and a more complex field of applications regarding payload transfer, launch frequency and time in orbit. Planned transportation systems like the – formerly – European shuttle Hermes, as well as the hypersonic winged launcher concepts of Sanger, HOTOL and NASP, demand advanced developments in the field of high–temperarure stable materials in order to meet the requirements dictared by the aerothermal and aeromechanical loads arising during ascent, re–entry and cruising at high speed in the upper atmosphere. Considerable improvements in metallic materials properties have been achieved due to the development of advanced processing and manufacturing technologies and by combining lightweight metal matrix composites with suitable protective coatings in order to enhance the thermomechanical capabilities of the material. Modifications of fibre–reinforced ceramic materials and the development of carbon–carbon composites present a very promising approach to ultra–high temperature resistant materials for special applications. This paper intends to address space specific material requirements, and briefly discuss improvements to and critical aspects of material applications.