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Engineers are investigating the NASA Loftid Technology demonstrators who use Zylon’s material on their belts. | Credit: NASA
The US Space Force X-37B space aircraft is carrying an example of a material that could once help NASA land cargo and crew on Mars.
X-37b Started in the eighth mission August 21 Falcon 9 Rocket from NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Florida. There were many experiments on board on board, including a laser communication system and “top -level quantum inertial sensor ever tested in space,”. According to US space forces; The sensor is much more accurate and resistant to the GPS alternative that can allow the spacecraft to determine its position even in the prohibited environment.
However, although these two emerging technologies have received the most attention, the X-37B conducted another potentially revolutionary experiment. The secret space plane on board was a belt strip known as Zylon, a strong synthetic polymer created by Sri International; Zylon belts are directed to the NASA hypersonic inflatable inflatable an aerodynamic skeler (HIAD), flying-Saucer aeroshell, which could ever be used for crew and cargo, straps, straps. Mars;
With the current impetus of nasa a Greater focus on the lunar and Mars explorationTechnologies such as HIAD can become a vital agency plans – as well as the need for materials to ensure that they work as designed.
“We are investigating how the Hiad technology could help you go to Mars. We want to look at the long-term effects of space-Tari Zylon materials would take place for a potential mission of six to nine months to Mars, “said Robert Mosher, HIAD Materials and Recycling Manager NASA Research Center in Virginia, Virginia Agency, Virginia, Virginia, Virginia, Agency, Agency, Agency, Agency, Agency at the agency, agency agency, agency agency, agency agency, agency, agency agency, agency agency, agency agency, agency agency, agency agency, agency agency, agency agency. a statement; “We want to make sure we know how to protect those structural materials in the long run.”
Inflatable spacecraft after the atmospheric re -entrance test in 2022. November | Credit: NASA
According to NASA, as a HIAD, as a Hiad, it could ever help large spacecraft, rover or other equipment descend through the atmosphere of planets or moons, such as Saturn’s giant Titan satellite. These were materials like Zylon.
Zylon are eyes for straps that hold the Hiad sheath together and distribute the cargo evenly throughout its structure. However, scientists will need to know how the material responds to the harsh environment of long -term cosmic light until NASA sends it to Mars or beyond.
For this purpose, the X-37B is a few examples of Zylon in canis, some of which are inserted into temperature and humidity sensors. The samples were packed using two different methods: one in which the material is tightly wrapped and the other in which it was “stuffed”, NASA wrote in a statement describing the experiment.
“Usually we pack the type of Hiad Aeroshell, as you pack the parachute, so they are compressed,” Mosher said. “We wanted to know if there is a difference between tightly wrapped materials and items packaged, as you usually see HIAD.”
Robert Mosher, Hiad Materials and Recycling Lead Nasa Langley, a piece of belt, known as Zylon, consisting of HIAD straps. | Credit: NASA/Joe Atkinson
X-37b There is a reusable space aircraft that allows scientists to send materials and other experiments to space and study them after returning to Earth. Mosher and other NASA scientists, along with examples left here on Earth, will explore the examples of space Zylon, analyzing how the material may have broken down or otherwise changed in space environment.
“Once you have received this opportunity, you will begin to provide us with some of the long-term HIAD packaging,” Mosher said in a statement.
Loftid Mars Landing demonstrate, deployed from the Centaurs Upper UNITED United Alliance’s Atlans V missile, 2022. November 10 | Credit: NASA
NASA has already tested a Hiad prototype. 2022 November 10 launched Waterberg’s space forces in California, carrying a demon of technology, known as the “Low-Earth Orbit” flight, for an inflatable delay or uplifting.
After that Successfully entered the Earth’s atmosphereLand in the Pacific about 500 miles (800 km) from Hawaii.