Materials for Space

In this course a number of space missions (for example Vikings, Opportunity, Perseverance, ISS, Hubble telescope, James Webb telescope, Venus orbitors, Launchers) will be presented as a carrier for material selection analysis.

A holistic view of "materials science - manufacturing - structural analysis - system engineering for missions" will be presented. While students come mostly from different backgrounds, the goal of this class is to help them identify the perspective they use in the holistic view and to learn about the materials science perspective.

Fundamentals of materials classes and their typical properties will be introduced. Current material choice will be analyzed and material designing principles will be explained. The concept of reverse material engineering for metals, polymers and inorganic materials will be demonstrated in a series of lectures. In sessions of "ESA forum + student poster seminar", students will be given opportunities to interact with ESA experts and present their own findings from analyzing given missions, by translating desired properties into material structures and microstructures.

In class discussion is an important part of learning. The structure of the lectures will be tailored to maximize the student involvement.

The course contains the following topics:

week 1: Holistic view and materials science perspective; Typical materials - metals, ceramics and polymers

week 2: Typical materials - metals, ceramics and polymers

week 3: Material degradation in space - vacuum; thermal cycling;

week 4: Material degradation in space - AO; charging

week 5: Material degradation in space - space radiation

week 6: Material degradation in space - meteoroids and orbital debris;

week 7: "ESA forum + student presentation" Materials testing for space applications; Extreme missions; Materials challenge in future space age (ESA guest speakers); Student poster seminar

week 8: Study period (Q and A)

week 9: exam week