Descrizione del progetto
Un utilizzo rivoluzionario degli aerogel nell’isolamento termico per il settore spaziale
I satelliti spaziali e i veicoli di lancio richiedono l’isolamento termico per mantenere temperature operative ottimali durante lo svolgimento delle loro missioni. Gli attuali sistemi di isolamento multistrato utilizzati nello spazio sono ingombranti e richiedono complessi processi di fabbricazione e assemblaggio. Il progetto ISBA, finanziato dall’UE, propone una tecnologia dirompente basata sulle eccezionali proprietà di isolamento termico degli aerogel. In collaborazione con partner industriali e ricercatori, il progetto svilupperà aerogel idonei per applicazioni spaziali, prendendo in considerazione le variazioni di temperatura estreme, le tecnologie di produzione additiva e rivestimento, un livello di pulizia migliore e la competitività commerciale rispetto alle alternative emergenti nel campo dell’isolamento multistrato. I risultati forniranno una soluzione altamente competitiva all’isolamento termico per i veicoli spaziali che sia economica, pulita, compatta e facile da produrre, nonché di semplice assemblaggio.
Obiettivo
The need for thermal insulation pertaining to space applications, e.g. satellites and launch vehicles, demands the requirement for the components of the satellite or launch vehicles to remain within the operating temperature range throughout the life of the satellite or the course of the journey. The project ISBA proposes to develop a disruptive technology through seven different applications in the space sector, based on aerogels or xerogels which will be used as a new thermal insulation solution in order to make it competitive, clean, compact, easier to produce and assembly. In the specific domain of space, the impact of the project will enable an amplified profit at product level, allowing to design new concepts, way lighter, by avoiding secondary structures for maintaining MLI layout or rigid shield, and cheaper than the reference solutions. The technology thus assembled will guarantee a level of cleanliness compatible with the level of requirements of space applications, which will be one of focal points of ground-breaking developments. Thus, the overall objectives of the project can be summarized as follows: (i) Develop aerogel/xerogel-based solutions for cryogenic, moderate and high temperature space applications, (ii) implement additive manufacturing technologies specifically for aerogels in space applications, (iii) develop coating-technologies on aerogels/xerogels for operating in space environments, (iv) improve cleanliness of aerogels by developing enveloping technologies tailored for aerogels, (v) enhance industrial competitiveness of aerogel/xerogel solutions in space, and (vi) present EU-efficient alternatives to the current MLI solutions, thus reducing dependency on US technologies. To achieve these objectives, a consortium of three major end-user industry partners from EU, five major research and development centers focusing on aerogels, ceramics, and coatings, and one industry partner experienced in packaging technologies is established.
Campo scientifico
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringsatellite technology
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and films
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringmanufacturing engineeringadditive manufacturing
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringceramics
Programma(i)
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation ActionsCoordinatore
51147 Koln
Germania