| ILC Develops Flexible Radiation Shielding for NASA
ISS Cargo Bag Made with Radiation Protection Material Photo: ILC Dover | ILC is supporting NASA LaRC in the development of materials and test assemblies for flexible reconfigurable radiation shielding.We have designed and constructed vests, blankets, and cargo carriers from our specialized Armorflex polyethylene based films.These shields provide the highest level of protection to crew from high energy protons and galactic cosmic radiation, and are reconfigurable to minimize system mass through multifunctionality.For example ISS cargo bags made from Armorflex can become radiation blankets or wearable garments once the cargo is unloaded on station.ILC is also a member of the NASA funded Delaware Center for Space Radiation Studies which was formed to advance the understanding and mitigation of the effects of space radiation. As part of our work for the Center we are researching enhanced polymers for neutron shielding of secondary radiation effects, and investigating multi-functional radiation shielding concepts.
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Deployable Sunshade Technology
Reduces Launch Vehicle Mass
Inflatable Sunshield Saves Mass for In-Space Fuels Systems
Photo: United Launch Alliance | United Launch Alliance (ULA) and ILC Dover engineers have completed the preliminary design and development of an in-space inflatable sun shield for the Atlas V launch vehicle's upper stage. The sun shield is designed to inflate and deploy after jettison of the launch vehicle payload fairing to reflect the sun's rays away from the upper stage tanks, thereby minimizing the liquid boil-off of the two super-cold propellants. Although the initial design of the sun shield is for use on the Atlas V upper stage, the same concept could be used for ULA's Delta IV, other rockets or for in-space propellant depots. Propellant depots are long-term storage tanks or refueling stations for space vehicles on their way to earth orbit, to the Moon or to Mars.
For More Information Contact Mr. Cliff Willey
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