The SpaceX CRS-31 mission for NASA will advance cold welding techniques for on-the-spot spacecraft hull repairs

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., Nov. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Imagine a spacecraft hurtling through deep space when suddenly, it’s struck by a rogue piece of space debris. In the harsh vacuum of space, traditional repair methods falter. Enter ASTROBEAT, an innovative experiment sponsored by the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory, poised to advance spacecraft repairs using cold welding—a technique akin to patching a tire while soaring through space. 

This experiment, which arrived at the space station via SpaceX’s 31st Commercial Resupply Services mission for NASA, is spearheaded by Leonardo Barilaro, a senior lecturer in aerospace engineering at the Malta College of Arts, Sciences, and Technology (MCAST).

“Cold welding has long been considered an adverse phenomenon in space, but with ASTROBEAT, we’re transforming a problem into a viable repair mechanism,” Barilaro explains. “It aims to create a paradigm shift in conducting structural repairs in space—swiftly, efficiently, and with minimal external intervention.”

Cold welding employs a calibrated force to join metallic materials without heat, minimizing risks like structural damage to spacecraft from high temperatures. This technique benefits from the space station’s microgravity environment, where metals don’t re-oxidize quickly, allowing for cleaner and stronger bonds. The ASTROBEAT technology demonstration project will evaluate cold welding in space by testing metal patches on simulated spacecraft hulls, offering a safer and potentially more reliable method for in-orbit repairs than traditional techniques.

The remotely controlled experiment, designed to address hull breaches caused by micrometeoroids or space debris, consists of four chambers with calibrated metallic samples. If successful, the project could establish cold welding as a crucial tool for in-space repair, significantly boosting the durability of spacecraft and the safety of crewed missions.

“The introduction of ASTROBEAT to the ISS represents a crucial step from theoretical concepts to practical, potentially life-saving technology,” Barilaro adds. “We aim to provide astronauts with the capability to seal breaches from within the spacecraft, leveraging the unique conditions of cold welding adhesion in space.”

Upon completion of the space station testing, the project will return to Earth so the team can thoroughly analyze the cold-welded joints, assessing their effectiveness and resilience.

In addition to ASTROBEAT, Barilaro, a pianist, leads the Space Art project “Music from Space” in collaboration with Grammy-nominated cellist Tina Guo. This project uses art to engage and educate the public on the wonders of space science, highlighting the profound link between creativity and exploration in human spaceflight.

For additional information on ISS National Lab-sponsored investigations onboard the space station as part of NASA’s SpaceX CRS-31, view our launch page. Visit our website to learn more about the research and technology development sponsored by the ISS National Lab, including how to propose concepts for future space-based research.

Download an image for this release: ASTROBEAT module

About the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory:

The International Space Station (ISS) is a one-of-a-kind laboratory that enables research and technology development not possible on Earth. As a public service enterprise, the ISS National Laboratory^® allows researchers to leverage this multiuser facility to improve quality of life on Earth, mature space-based business models, advance science literacy in the future workforce, and expand a sustainable and scalable market in low Earth orbit. Through this orbiting national laboratory, research resources on the ISS are available to support non-NASA science, technology, and education initiatives from U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space^™ (CASIS^™) manages the ISS National Lab, under Cooperative Agreement with NASA, facilitating access to its permanent microgravity research environment, a powerful vantage point in low Earth orbit, and the extreme and varied conditions of space. To learn more about the ISS National Lab, visit our website.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CASIS accepts corporate and individual donations to help advance science in space for the benefit of humanity. For more information, visit our donations page.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/space-the-final-frontier-forwelding-iss-national-lab-sponsored-research-to-test-cold-welding-for-spacecraft-repairs-302298997.html

SOURCE International Space Station National Lab

Source link

Private Internet Access gives you unparalleled access to thousands of next-gen servers in over 83 countries and each US state. Your VPN experience will always be fast, smooth, and reliable.