NASA Space Fabric

NASA Space Fabric

Bringing space to fabric

By:Jacqueline Ray

Abstract:

NASA is in the process of bringing the space industry to Earth.  Recently, they unveiled a prototype for their new "space fabric."  The fabric has a pattern of metallic tiles that reflect light in a similar fashion as a disco ball. While this fabric may appear to be ideal to wear under the disco light, it has many distinct features.

Engineering Design:

"Space fabric" is paradoxical in nature.  One side of the fabric has the ability to reflect light and heat.  The other side of the fabric absorbs heat.  Therefore, the fabric has the ability to both heat and cool depending on the side that is facing the sun.  The fabric may be formed into different shapes to produce the desired levels of heat.  Folding the fabric controls its passive heat and tensile strength.

Space Fabric

Manufacturing:

"Space fabric" is made using additive manufacturing.  This means that the fabric is built up layer by layer through 4D printing.  This is done by layering streams of molten polymers or sintering metallic powders using precisely controlled lasers or electronic beams.  This process speeds up production and reduces the overall cost because there are very few materials involved.

Their manufacturing process brings into account a fourth dimension.  This is because the 4D printing allows engineers to combine geometry and function directly into a material.  Therefore, the material is able to incorporate multiple functions and organic non-linear shapes.

Application:

NASA believes that "space fabric" can be used to create objects, such as large antennas, to be used by spacecrafts visiting cold and icy planets.  It could also be used foot pads that could give landers and rovers a firm footing on a planet without melting the ice beneath. "Space fabric" could also be made by recycling scarce resources aboard a spacecraft.

Looking Forward:

"Space fabric" will become a great way for NASA to recycle materials and cut costs.  Its structure is ideal for many structures aboard a spacecraft.  It can also be used on planets with icy surfaces.  Therefore, this fabric is a good predictor of future space travel.  Some of its features indicate that NASA does believe that there may be life,  or at least ice, on other planets. This invention could be a step forward into the next generation of discovery.