Suitability of Geopolymers for Spacecraft Applications- Results and Proposed Experiments

摘要

Spacecraft designers need to find innovative ways to reduce satellite masses. In this direction, a new technology is being developed which has the potential payoff in the difficult subsystem of imaging payloads. A class of inorganic polymers, called geopolymers, is being tested for their use as lightweight mirror materials, among other applications. Two formulations, one for use as an adhesive and other one for use as a structural material, are under development and are in the process of being space qualified as part of this overall effort. Geopolymers have the advantages of low initial coefficient of thermal expansion, easy preparation at room temperature and atmospheric conditions, castability, and adhesion to a number of common mirror coating materials. If successful, geopolymer based optics have the potential to improve the areal densities of traditional monolithic glass mirrors by a factor of 3 or more. This paper will detail the progress on our formulations of geopolymers for developing lightweight mirrors for space applications, the status of the space qualification testing at that point, and anticipated results for future experiments.