Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Aerogel: Space exploration applications

  • Aerogels
  • Published:
Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The unique physical properties of aerogel have proven to be enabling to a variety of both flight and proposed space exploration missions. The extremely low density and highly porous nature of aerogel makes it suitable for stopping high velocity particles, as a highly efficient thermal barrier, and as a porous medium for the containment of cryogenic fluids. The use of silica aerogel as a hypervelocity particle capture and return media for the Stardust Mission has drawn the attention of many in the space exploration community. Aerogel is currently being used as the thermal insulation material in the 2003 Mars Exploration Rovers. The SCIM (Sample Collection for the Investigation of Mars) and the STEP (Satellite Test of the Equivalence Principle) Missions are both proposed space exploration missions, in which, the use of aerogel is critical to their overall design and success. Composite materials comprised of silica aerogel and oxide powders are under development for use in a new generation of thermoelectric devices that are planned for use in many future space exploration mission designs. Work is currently ongoing in the development and production of non-silicate and composite aerogels to extend the range of useful applications envisioned for aerogel in future space exploration projects.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Brinker CJ, Scherer GW (1990) Sol-gel science: The physics and chemistry of sol-gel processing. Academic Press, San Diego

    Google Scholar 

  2. Livage J, Sanchez C (1990) J Non-Cryst Solids 145:11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Hench LL, West JK (1990) Chem Rev 90(1):33

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Herrmann G, Iden R, Mielke M, Teich F, Ziegler B (1995) J Non-Cryst Solids 186:380

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Hrubesh LW (1998) J Non-Cryst Solids 225:335

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Schmidt M, Schwertfeger F (1998) J Non-Cryst Solids 225:364

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Ulrich DR (1990) J Non-Cryst Solids 121:465

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Fricke J, Tillotson T (1997) Thin Solid Films 297:212

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. MacKenzie JD (1988) J Non-Cryst Solids 100:162

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Pierre AC, Pajonk GM (2002) Chem Rev 102:4243

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Adachi I, Sumiyoshi T, Hayashi K, Iida N, Enomoto R, Tsukada K, Suda R, Matsumoto S, Natori K, Yokoyama M, Yokogawa H (1995) Nucl Instr Meth Phys Res A 355:390

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Asner D, Butler F, Dominick J, Fadeyev V, Masek G, Nemati B, Skubic P, Strynowski R (1996) Nucl Instr Meth Phys Res A 374:286

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Sumiyoshi T, Adachi I, Enomotoi R, Iijima T, Suda R, Yokoyama M, Yokogawa H (1998) J Non-Cryst Solids 225:369

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Ishino M, Chiba J, En’yo H, Funahashi H, Ichikawa A, Ieiri M, Kanda H, Masaike A, Mihara S, Miyashita T, Murakami T, Nakamura A, Naruki M, Muto R, Ozawa K, Sato HD, Sekimoto M, Tabaru T, Tanaka KH, Yoshimura Y, Yokkaichi S, Yokoyama M, Yokgawa H (2001) Nucl Instr Meth Phys Res A 457:581

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. DeLeo R, Lagamba L, Manzari V, Nappi E, Scognetti T, Alemi M, Becker H, Forty R, Adachi I, Suda R, Sumiyoshi T, Leone A, Perrino R, Matteuzzi C, Seguinot J, Ypsilantis T, Cisbani E, Frullani S, Garibaldi F, Iodice M, Uriuoli GM (1997) Nucl Instr Meth Phys Res A 401:187

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Tsou P (1995) J Non-Cryst Solids 186:415

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Brownlee DB, Tsou P, Atkins KL, Yen C-W, Vellinga JM, Price S, Clark BC (1996) Acta Astronautic 39(1–4):51

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Tillotson TM, Hrubesh LW (1992) J Non-Cryst Solids 145:44

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Leshin LA, Yen A, Bomba J, Clarke B, Epp C, Fourney L, Gamber T, Graves C, Hupp J, Jones S, Jurewicz JAG, Oakman K, Rea J, Richardson M, Romeo K, Sharp T, Sutter B, Thiemens M, Thornton J, Vicker D, Willcockson W, Zolensky M (2002) Sample collection for investigation of mars (SCIM): An early mars sample return mission through the mars scout program (Abstract), Lunar Planetary Sci Conf XXXIII, Lunar Planetary Institute, Houston, TX

  20. Leshin LA, Clark BC, Forney L, Jones SM, Jurewicz AJG, Greeley R, McSween HY, Richardson M, Sharp T, Thiemens M, Wadhwa M, Wiens RC, Yen A, Zolensky M (2003) Scientific Benefit of a mars dust sample capture and earth return with SCIM (Abstract), Lunar Planetary Sci Conf XXXIV, Lunar Planetary Institute, Houston, TX

  21. Jurewicz AJG, Forney L, Bomba J, Vicker D, Jones S, Yen A, Clark B, Gamber T, Leshin LA, Richardson M, Sharpe T, Thiemens M, Thornton JM, Zolensky M (2002) Investigating the use of aerogel collectors for the SCIM Martian dust sample return (Abstract), Lunar Planetary Sci Conf XXXIII, Lunar Planetary Institute, Houston, TX

  22. Novak KS, Phillips CJ, Burir GC, Sunada ET, Pauken MT (Feb. 2–6, 2003) Technology applications international forum 2003. Albuquerque, NM

  23. Lange RG, Mastal EF (1994) In: El-Genk MS (ed) A critical review of space nuclear power and propulsion 1984–1993. American Institute of Physics Press, New York, p 1

    Google Scholar 

  24. Wang S, Torii R, Vitale S (2001) Classical Quantum Gravity 18:2551

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, MS125-109, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA, 91109

    Steven M. Jones

Authors
  1. Steven M. Jones
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Steven M. Jones.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jones, S.M. Aerogel: Space exploration applications. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 40, 351–357 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-006-7762-7

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-006-7762-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation