NASA needs lightweight spacecraft materials to explore the universe
While NASA has been able to go where it wants using existing materials for spacecraft, lightweight ones will enable the agency to explore more places in our solar system and beyond. That's why NASA is now investing in the development of ultra-lightweight (ULW) materials that could reduce a spacecraft's mass by up to 40 percent. That will allow the agency to save on fuel and carry more payload -- or people, in the case of manned missions -- if necessary. In its quest to find light but strong materials, NASA has chosen three proposals from American companies listed below the fold.
HRL Laboratories LLC of Malibu, California: Ultralight Micro-truss Cores for Space Launch Systems
ATK Space Systems LLC of Magna, Utah: Game Changing Technology Development Program Ultra-Light Weight Core Materials for Efficient Load Bearing Composite Sandwich Structures
Dynetics Inc. of Huntsville, Alabama: Ultra-Lightweight Core Materials for Efficient Load-Bearing Composite Sandwich Structures
As you can see, these companies will be working on composite sandwich structures, which are materials made of honeycomb or foam cores sandwiched between two thin skins. While composites are common in the aerospace industry, the ones being developed for NASA will presumably be stronger and more resilient, since they have to endure trips to Mars and farther locations. The three companies will get funding for 13 months worth around $550,000, while those selected to advance to the next stage will get $2 million each.
