Multilayer Insulation on the International Space Station

Team Nacre:
Chris Yi (cwy8xz), Ryan Berman (rjb3fp), Kian Lawlor (kl9zx), Michael Jeong (mwj2pf)
We will explore the materials involved in spacecraft heat shielding, specifically Multilayer Insulation on the International Space Station. Sending vessels to live on into space involves unique challenges. These materials must be able to endure an extreme environment for as long as there is a crew on board. Additionally, these materials must be lightweight in order to maximize fuel efficiency for initial deployment. A viable heat shielding material for a spacecraft must therefore be lightweight to minimize launch costs, tough to survive the stresses of spaceflight, be able to operate in a huge temperature range (3-3200 K), reflect large amounts of the sun's radiation, and contain enough heat inside the vessel. Thermal insulation in space must externally reflect radiation transfer (the absence of an atmosphere means conduction and convection are not issues). But it must also internally retain its heat so the temperature inside can be regulated. The focus material is multi-layer insulation (MLI) which satisfies all of these requirements because each of its component layers satisfy at least one requirement. The unique challenges of thermal insulation and protection in spaceflight give rise to entire classes of unique materials with very interesting properties that attempt to balance both efficiency and effectiveness and, oftentimes, non-space applications.
References:
Finckenor, M. (1999). Multilayer Insulation Material Guidelines. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Retrieved from ntrs.nasa.gov/...
Dupont Kevlar Technical Guide. Dupont. Retrieved from www.dupont.com/...
Dupont Mylar Physical Thermal Properties. Dupont. Retrieved from dupontteijinfil...
Price, S., Phillips, T., Knier, G. (2001, March 21). Staying Cool on the ISS. NASA. Retrieved from science.nasa.g...
Vacuum Metalizing Process Overview. MuellerCorp. Retrieved from www.muellercor...
What is Mylar?. Sorbent Systems. Retrieved from www.sorbentsyst...
Temperature-Resistant Materials Enable Space-Like Cold on Earth. NASA. Retrieved from spinoff.nasa.g...
Clips/Videos used:
Gold & Casio Watch - Periodic Table of Videos. Retrieved from • Gold & Casio Watch - P...
HPF Multi Layer Insulation (MLI) Blankets. Retrieved from • HPF Multi Layer Insula...
Life on Station. Retrieved from www.youtube.co...
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[@georgetravers9333]

Thank you :)

[@Joules120]

Love the music... elevator one

[@nkaneti]

Thanks for this

[@andrzejkorczynski8801]

Great video thank you helped so much

[@eyeopeningtruth7518]

Thanks for useful insight

[@AtleeYarrow]

Now how are those layers ordered in placement?

[@DylanFryerFilms]

How the heck does the iss remove heat from itself? Where does it send the heat off to. The humans and the machines are all giving off heat 24/7. If the whole thing is insulated so well, then all the heat would accumulate inside of it from those sources. There is no way to transfer the accumulating heat to the particles of the thermosphere that it flies through. They are thousands of degrees and would be at a higher energy concentration and not allow something cooler than themselves to transfer more heat into them. In fact it's the other way around. Though it's said the particles are so spread out that they are negligible in that sense of them giving off heat into the iss.

[@surajalmustapha7092]

Good video. The music though has drowned the actual voice. Not too good.

[@rodgermyles2871]

Bloody annoying music? Gave up.

[@siddheshdeshpande6846]

background music is annoying as fuck