Characterization of Low-Density Open-Cell Foams for Space Inflatable Applications

摘要

Many space agencies are oriented toward the use of inflatable technology for future-generation habitats and modules in an effort to reduce the overall weight, which in turn increases the weight payload that can be sent into orbit or in planetary transfer. These innovative habitats must provide a micrometeoroid and orbital debris protection. It is necessary to determine which polymeric foam material could be more adequate for the purpose. In this work, several open-cell foams were selected to be tested. Because the candidate foam must fulfill packaging and deployment operations and capture debris fragmentations, mechanical properties were evaluated. Furthermore, atomic oxygen surface exposure was performed on the foams to simulate low-Earth-orbit conditions in case of accidental direct exposure. This experimental investigation provides several basic results for selecting the most suitable foam for inflatable micrometeoroid and orbital debris protection.