Leoben scientists bring innovative materials to the ISS

Von WOM

Great progress in space research was achieved at the location of the Leoben Montan University. Highly developed thin film coatings that were developed in Leoben have now arrived at the International Space Station (ISS). These innovative materials are part of an important international research project known as European Materials Aging (EMA) and is funded by the European Space Organization (ESA).

The responsible scientists, Dr. Megan Cordill from the Erich Schmid Institute for Materials Science of the Austrian Academy of Sciences and Univ.-Prof. Dr. Christian Mitterer from the Department of Materials Science of the Montan University Leoben have worked together on these rehearsals. As part of the 31st SpaceX replenishment mission, the materials came to the ISS, where they will be exposed to the extreme conditions of space in the next six months. These conditions include space radiation, vacuum and extremely different temperatures.

samples for space mission

Among the samples that are now tested in the ISS, there are tiny but powerful coated materials with a diameter of Seulement 20 millimeters. Their application as a flexible optical solar reflectors and multi-layered slat foils is the focus of the tests. These special coatings use transparent protective layers and metallic reflection layers and could help protect sensitive satellite loads in the future and to download the general efficiency by saving weight.

The materials have already been extensively tested under earthly conditions before their space. The success of these tests makes the researchers optimistic about the performance of the materials in the harsh environment of the space. In this environment it remains to be seen how the samples can actually withstand realistic conditions - conditions that are supplemented by far -reaching challenges such as space waste.

Material research on a nuclear level

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Mitterer explains that the development of the thin layer materials takes place on the atomic level, atoms are specifically put together to achieve optimized material properties. These advanced materials have been designed so that they can be better against the extreme conditions in space. "With this approach we can enable new applications and make a significant contribution to the future of space research," says Mitterer.

The team of the Montan University Leoben has positioned itself through this research as a pioneer in the development of materials that may offer decisive advantages in future space missions. In view of the ambitious goals of the ESA and the progressive technologies that are used in space travel, it remains to be seen how these materials are assessed in the near future. The results of these investigations could pave the way for new technologies that revolutionize everything from satellites to future space.

For more information about this important progress in space research and the associated projects, On www.5min.at .