ASOT - Application-specific Surface Structuring of Thermal Insulation

The ASOT project focuses on the development of a range of thermal vacuum insulation materials for spacecraft and other high technology applications. By appropriate surface patterning the material properties can be tailored to fit the requirements of the intended use.

Short Description

The project involves the tuning of several different material properties with a focus on electrical (surface) conductivity of coated films with variable functionality. The methods used for achieving the desired surface properties range from (vacuum deposition) coating, printing and chemical etching to mechanical processing.

Another important goal is the minimization of mass: Advanced printing processes were investigated for the coating and reinforcement of thermal insulation foils. The polymer grids carry the loads while the thin foil is suspended in between.

The ASOT research project has led to the development of a range of high performance insulation materials and corresponding production processes for use in spacecraft and other high technologies and the production of first prototypes together with partners and potential customers.

The transfer of space technology to terrestrial applications will enable the development of products that represent a great improvement over the current state-of-the-art products in markets such as cryogenic industries and electrical power engineering.

MetOp Satellite in space — MetOp artist's view (Photo: ESA-Silicon World)

Project Partners

Coordinator

RUAG Space GmbH - Erhard Prechelmacher

Partners

Vienna University of Technology, Institute of Electrodynamics, Microwave and Circuit Engineering - Peter Schönhuber
Vienna University of Technology, Institute of Materials Science and Technology - Jürgen Stampfl

Contact Address

RUAG Space GmbH
Erhard Prechelmacher
Stachegasse 16
A-1120 Vienna
Tel.: +43 (1) 80199 - 2310
E-mail: Erhard.Prechelmacher@ruag.com
Web: www.ruag.com/thermal