Ever more fastidious missions for the scientific investigation of space as well as the increasing use of satellite-based services require the development of more efficient, more economical and more resistant space technologies and systems in the future.
A study of the VDI Technology Center on behalf of the German Aerospace Center points out, that nanotechnology could supply significant contributions and technological breakthroughs for the development of future space travel systems.
The study discusses and evaluates application possibilities of nanotechnology in space both for a short to medium-term time horizon and for long-term and visionary applications.
Examples of more visionary applications of molecular nanotechnology in space are the raclamation of other planets by raw material extraction and material synthesis (“Terraforming”), the establishment of a space elevator on the basis of ultra strong nanomaterials or the extreme miniaturization and integration of space systems in the sense of a “flying chip”.
Meanwhile however, various application potentials of nanotechnology appears also for a short to medium-term time range, which could lead to significant improvements within several areas of space technology, particularly lightweight construction and functional materials, improved systems and components for energy production and storage, data processing and transmission, sensor technology as well as life support systems.
Appropriate research and development projects are already promoted in particular by NASA for some years with substantial funding.
On the other side, space could offer also potential spin offs as research instrument for nanotechnology.
As example the utilization of the ISS to obtain relevant data on particle interactions or self- organization phenomena under microgravity can be mentioned, which could be used for the modelling and the optimization of terrestrial processes within the range of nanotechnology.
The study “Application of Nanotechnology in Space Developments and Systems” (Future Technologies No. 43 EN, April 2003, ISSN 1436-5928) is now available from the VDI Technology Center free of charge.
