Multifunctional Composite Structure

This project is developing a Composite Sandwich Habitable Pressurized Structure for deep space travel. Permeability, radiation, & micrometeoroids and orbital debris (MM/OD) shielding are built into the structure for a material system focused on deep space environments.

Hypervelocity testing of high and low density foam has been performed to bound the MM/OD shielding capability with our aluminum alloy. Additionally, mechanical testing at both densities has been performed to understand the synergism of a focused, system designed structure. Analytical models for structural and environmental response are being developed and correlated to test data. As a result, an intermediate sandwich core density has been selected for further testing. This resultant structure is being built into prototypes at component and full scale levels. The next phase includes maturing the mechanical testing of the selected metallic foam density (including physical modeling), manufacturing formed multifunctional composite structural components into a Generation 3A MMSEV, and maturing the mathematical model to address the structural effect of an impermeability bladder embedded into the core.

This project is important to NASA/JSC because of the critical need for multifunctional deep space pressurized habitable structure [lightweight, compact, robust, shielding (radiation, MM/OD, permeability)].

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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