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我们比以往任何时候都更依靠太空中的卫星和结构进行通信。它们帮助我们提供电视图片,电话和各种各样的通信信号,同时幸存下来的空间环境。由于用来创建它们的独特材料,人工卫星能够完成这些任务并在太空中忍受。亚博网站下载
空间中使亚博网站下载用的材料通常是人类创造的最先进的材料,我们一直在研究和创建新的和改进的材料。这些材料需要亚博网站下载拥有许多独特的特性才能有效。
属性材料需要在太空中运行亚博网站下载
一个不断进出阳光的直接热量的物体在恒定的温度通量中,这会导致其扩展和收缩。结果,科学家认为尽管温度变化,但材料仍能保持其尺寸和形状的能力,这称为尺寸稳定性。
Structures in space also need to be able to withstand its uniquely harsh environment. This is considered a material’s environment stability. In space this means that the material can remain stable in despite the presence of radiation and the vacuum of space.
The most important properties of a new material which will be used in space are strength and stiffness. When an object is in orbit around the Earth it will be subjected to incredible forces that will tear apart weaker structures.
仅发射才能将材料放在重力力的三倍之下,这意味着每个组件的重量最高是地球上的三倍。该材料必须保持其完整性,而不必在巨大的力下折断或弯曲,否则卫星一旦达到空间就无法运行。
图片来源:3DSCULPTOR/SHUTTERSTOCK.com
Once the satellite is in space, it must retain its functionality in microgravity where its component materials will weigh even less than they would on the Earth. This variation in gravitational strength means that the materials used must be incredibly versatile and unique in their integrity.
The structure must also be able to withstand the cabin pressure coming from within the satellite. On the International Space Station, the oxygen within it can exert a force of up to 15 lbs per inch on a surface.
如果材料不足以承受每英寸15磅的力量,它可能会破裂并导致空气泄漏,从而威胁着每个人的生命。
考虑卫星的另一个威胁是将与结构接触的弹丸数量。如今,旧的已销毁人造卫星的弹片仍然绕地球绕在地球上。
如果所使用的材料不足以摆脱这些弹丸,这些高速速度金属废料可以切碎较新的卫星。亚博网站下载
除了这些人对人造卫星的威胁外,太空中的流星物可以达到42公里/s的速度(比子弹快),并对卫星构成重大威胁。
由于将物体推入地球轨道已经是如此昂贵的冒险,因此所考虑的材料必须在经济上可行。亚博网站下载科学家必须考虑一种材料的创造程度以及测试材料将会多么昂贵。
在许多情况下,科学家将无法追求研究材料,因为资助材料的测试将太昂贵。为了使材料可在太空中可行使用,它也必须非常轻巧。一公斤额外的质量可以将发布的成本增加数千美元。
The Materials up to the Challenge
Kevlar
通常能够适合该法案的材亚博网站下载料之一是Kevlar。凯夫拉尔(Kevlar)是一种用于防弹背心和装甲的材料,是一种非常轻巧且强大的材料,非常适合太空旅行。
In addition to its high strength, kevlar also is incredibly resistant to temperature changes making it ideal for the orbiting structures that move in and out of the sun’s direct heat as they orbit the Earth. Kevlar’s toughness and durability also makes it ideal for protecting artificial satellites from dangerous orbital debris.
亚博网站下载在国际空间站测试的材料
Aluminum
空间中经常使用的另一种材料是铝的重量轻。就其本身而言,铝并非令人难以置信的坚固,但是当将其与其他金属合金结合成合金时,铝变得更强大。
铝合金通常足够强大,足以在空间结构和卫星中起作用。铝用于国际空间站窗户上的百叶窗,以保护窗户免受撞击。
These windows already are made with glass thicker than panes of glass on earth and often with twice as many panes. However, the additional aluminum shutters guarantee the safety of the astronauts within.
未来的材亚博网站下载料
未来的材亚博网站下载料将需要通过更严格的测试才能在更雄心勃勃的努力中发挥作用。
NASA Langley正在研究一种结构,该结构将使望远镜保持专注并稳定在遥远的物体上,而不会移动超过四分之一英寸。这必须通过抵消可能是由科学传感器和卫星上的其他附件引起的小振动来完成的。
Future artificial satellites and space structures must be able to counteract these vibrations and maintain the precision and accuracy that more advanced scientific devices require. These new materials and experiments will allow us to further explore and expand into space.
来源和进一步阅读
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