Blasting off World Space Week
Last Friday, the 26th World Space Week kicked off for a week of science and technology-related events. It's a good time to ponder the significance of this year’s theme – Space and Climate Change – and highlight how it aligns with Goodfellow’s commitment to delivering sustainable, low-carbon solutions.
World Space Week is an annual celebration that takes place from October 4 to October 10, promoting the benefits of space exploration and technology to humankind. Organized by the World Space Week Association (WSWA) in collaboration with the United Nations, this international series of events aims to inspire and educate people of all ages. Approximately 8,000 to 9,000 activities will be held across 96 countries, making it the world’s largest space event. This year’s theme bridges the gap between technology and one of the biggest threats of our time. By harnessing innovative space-based solutions, we can gather valuable insights into our planet's health and address environmental issues on a global scale.
How Space Exploration and Science Can Help Us Fight Climate Change
Satellites equipped with advanced sensors provide a comprehensive, real-time view of the world’s climate. By tracking a huge variety of key parameters such as sea levels, ocean temperatures, weather patterns, or vegetation cover over vast areas, including remote and hard-to-reach places, they enable us to study how changes are interconnected across different regions. This capability is essential for understanding complex climate systems, identifying trends, and validating model predictions. By integrating satellite data, researchers can enhance the accuracy of climate models, leading to better forecasts and more effective climate action strategies. Satellites can also serve as early warning systems for natural disasters that are often linked to global warming – hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, allowing for timely evacuation and response efforts.
Satellites can monitor
- shrinking glaciers and ice sheets
- rising sea levels
- changes in ocean temperature and salinity
- changes in vegetation cover, deforestation and desertification
- extreme weather events – data on the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts
- changes in atmospheric composition – changes in the concentration of greenhouse gasses
Space-based solar power (SBSP) is a groundbreaking concept that involves collecting solar energy in outer space and transmitting it back to Earth. Solar panels that are placed on satellites in orbit could capture sunlight without atmospheric interference. The generated energy could then be transmitted to receivers on Earth. Unlike terrestrial solar power, which is limited by weather conditions and day-night cycles, SBSP could provide a continuous supply of electricity. Additionally, SBSP requires significantly less land compared to traditional solar power plants. While SBSP holds great potential, high costs and transmission losses currently pose major obstacles to its economic viability.
NASA spinoffs are technologies originally developed for space exploration that have found valuable applications on Earth. Many of these have been leveraged to address environmental issues. While solar cells were not invented for space, NASA has played a significant role in advancing their efficiency and durability. There are many other examples of how NASA technology helps in the fight against climate change, including a super-sensitive methane detector, advanced insulation materials such as radiant barriers and aerogels, or winglets on airplane wings that improve fuel efficiency by reducing drag. Without doubt, space exploration will remain a major driver for innovation and the development of environmentally sustainable technologies.
By studying other planets, particularly Venus and Mars, we can gain meaningful insights into climate change on Earth. Our neighbors in the solar system are in essence natural laboratories for observing extreme climate conditions and processes. Their atmospheres provide valuable data points for understanding the effects of greenhouse gasses, atmospheric circulation, and other climate factors. Through a comparative analysis of their atmospheric composition and climate evolution, researchers can better understand the complex interactions that influence climate change on Earth.
Goodfellow's Commitment to Fighting Climate Change
Goodfellow Cambridge drives innovative space projects and technologies that combat climate change through its extensive range of advanced materials and expertise in materials science. Here’s how:
We’ve Been On A Mission
Goodfellow has been working with the space industry for more than 15 years, supplying Space Agencies in Asia, Europe, and the USA. Other collaborations include manufacturing pioneers as well as tech start-up Space DOTS.
The company provided platinum wire, gold and other high-purity metals for scientific instruments and sensors within the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft. The Cassini-Huygens mission was a joint endeavor by NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Italian Space Agency (ASI). Launched on October 15, 1997, the Cassini orbiter studied Saturn and its complex system of rings and moons in unprecedented detail, while the Huygens probe made history by landing on Saturn’s largest moon Titan in 2005.
Technical Knowledge
Choosing materials for space applications is particularly challenging due to the extreme environmental conditions that can be found there. These materials must be able to withstand the stresses of launch, orbit, and re-entry, while also resisting ultraviolet and charged particle radiation, which can degrade or alter their properties. Mechanical characteristics such as strength, toughness, and tolerance to thermal expansion are crucial for the integrity and functionality of spacecraft components. To prevent performance degradation, materials must also be compatible with other substances and avoid outgassing. Lightweight options are needed for reducing launch costs and improving fuel efficiency. In short, the demands on space materials are multifaceted, and specific applications may have additional requirements, such as electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, or optical properties.
By carefully considering all relevant factors, our experienced engineers can guide you through the complex process of selecting materials that precisely meet the needs of your project.
170,000+ Products
Our advanced materials, from lightweight alloys to high-performance composites, are designed to meet the rigorous demands of space exploration while minimizing environmental impact:
Graphene
Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice structure. Its exceptionally high tensile strength, flexibility, and excellent electrical conductivity make graphene suitable for a wide range of spacecraft components, from solar cells and batteries to structural parts. By combining graphene with other materials like polymers it is possible to create composites that are stronger, lighter, and more conductive than traditional substances. While traditional graphene production methods can be energy-intensive, liquid-phase exfoliation (LPE), Hummer's method, and plasma-assisted synthesis constitute promising options with a lower environmental impact. Green graphene from Goodfellow is produced by breaking up methane – a very potent greenhouse gas – into hydrogen and elemental carbon atoms in a plasma reactor.
Titanium Alloys
Titanium alloys, renowned for their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance, are ideal for long-duration space missions. Their ability to withstand extreme temperatures and fatigue ensures structural integrity and reliability. Additionally, their non-magnetic properties are crucial for sensitive instruments. By reducing spacecraft weight, titanium alloys contribute to improved fuel efficiency. They are also recyclable, making them a particularly sustainable choice for space exploration.
Goodfellow sells grade 5 titanium for aerospace use. It has a high strength-to-weight ratio, is corrosion resistant and offers better mechanical properties due to its Aluminium content
PLA Biopolymer
PLA (Polylactic Acid) biopolymer, a sustainable material derived from renewable resources such as cornstarch and sugarcane, offers a versatile solution for space applications. Its 3D-printability enables on-demand manufacturing of parts, while its combination of strength and lightweight properties mean it’s an ideal choice for components where weight reduction is critical.
Conclusion
Space exploration offers a unique perspective on Earth. As we gain new insights, we also bear the responsibility of applying that knowledge to protect our environment with its finite resources. The urgency to adopt sustainable practices has never been more critical. As we celebrate the achievements of space exploration during World Space Week, companies like Goodfellow Cambridge are leading the charge by providing innovative, climate-friendly solutions. By choosing Goodfellow's advanced materials for your projects, you contribute to driving sustainable new developments in the space sector and beyond.
Explore our full range of advanced materials including aluminum oxide ceramics and precious metals in standard as well as custom shapes.