Start Date
4-1986 8:00 AM
Description
The NASA, primarily at Langley Research Center, has been conducting analytical and experimental developmental programs for high temperature structures for over 30 years. Over this time many significant technologies in both structures and materials have evolved. The structures and materials for primary airframe concepts such as metal-matrix composites, organic composites, advanced metals and carbon-carbon have emerged from laboratory curiousities to state-of-the-art structures. New manufacturing processes, such as electron beam welding, superplastic forming and diffusion bonding, allow innovative design concepts that were impracticable only a decade ago. Several of these technologies have been flight demonstrated as secondary structures such as flaps, rudders and speed brakes. Analytical techniques have improved to the point where the design and analysis of complex thermostructural concepts can be readily evaluated in relatively short time frames, when only 20 years ago these techniques were unknown. This paper reviews these technologies, proven, emerging and conceptual with emphasis on their applications to space vehicles.
An Overview of Structures and Materials for Future Space Vehicles
The NASA, primarily at Langley Research Center, has been conducting analytical and experimental developmental programs for high temperature structures for over 30 years. Over this time many significant technologies in both structures and materials have evolved. The structures and materials for primary airframe concepts such as metal-matrix composites, organic composites, advanced metals and carbon-carbon have emerged from laboratory curiousities to state-of-the-art structures. New manufacturing processes, such as electron beam welding, superplastic forming and diffusion bonding, allow innovative design concepts that were impracticable only a decade ago. Several of these technologies have been flight demonstrated as secondary structures such as flaps, rudders and speed brakes. Analytical techniques have improved to the point where the design and analysis of complex thermostructural concepts can be readily evaluated in relatively short time frames, when only 20 years ago these techniques were unknown. This paper reviews these technologies, proven, emerging and conceptual with emphasis on their applications to space vehicles.
Comments
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