Multifunctional Materials

PSI is involved in several programs aimed at developing multifunctional systems for aerospace vehicles in order to reduce overall weight, volume, and power requirements. Examples include:

• Integration of structure and propulsion into lightweight thermoplastic composites for spacecraft, tactical missiles, and launch vehicles where the solid structure is consumed as fuel after its primary load-bearing part of the mission is complete.

• Integration of structure and radiation shielding into a single lightweight composite that is superior to aluminum in terms of radiation attenuation per unit mass.

• Integration of structure and thin-film variable optical property materials into a laminated composite to reduce weight and power associated with spacecraft thermal control systems.