INSULATION SOLUTION BASED ON AEROGELS

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The need for thermal insulation pertaining to space applications, e.g., satellites and launch vehicles, demands the requirement for the components of the satellite or launch vehicles to remain within the operating temperature range throughout the life of the satellite or the course of the journey. The project ISBA proposes to develop a disruptive technology through seven different applications in the space sector, based on aerogels or xerogels which will be used as a new thermal insulation solution in order to make it competitive, clean, compact, easier to produce and assembly. In the specific domain of space, the impact of the project will enable an amplified profit at product level, allowing to design new concepts, way lighter, by avoiding secondary structures for maintaining MLI layout or rigid shield, and cheaper than the reference solutions. The technology thus assembled will guarantee a level of cleanliness compatible with the level of requirements of space applications, which will be one of focal points of ground-breaking developments. Thus, the overall objectives of the project can be summarized as follows: (i) Develop aerogel/xerogel-based solutions for cryogenic, in the range of LN2 (-195.79°C) to -50°C, moderate, up to 800°C and high temperature, above 800°C, space applications, (ii) develop additive manufacturing technologies specifically for aerogels in space applications, (iii) develop coating-technologies on aerogels/xerogels for operating in space environments, (iv) improve cleanliness of aerogels by developing enveloping technologies tailored for aerogels, (v) enhance industrial competitiveness of aerogel/xerogel solutions in space, and (vi) present EU-efficient alternatives to the current MLI solutions, thus reducing dependency on US technologies. To achieve these objectives, a consortium of two major end-user industry partners from EU, five major research and development centers focusing on aerogels, ceramics, and coatings, and one industry partner experienced in packaging technologies is established.