Products, equipment and materials

Along with their main purpose of space exploration, many of the advanced technologies listed in Section 8.6 have terrestrial applications since they are or can be used for the fabrication of products, equipment and substances for different markets. The following examples are areas of terrestrial technology that have benefited, or could easily benefit, from work done by NASA in the USA and at the Kurchatov Institute in the Russian Federation.

8.7.2.1. Small terrestrial NPSs

The development of small automatic modular NPSs having power outputs in the 10–100 kW range could find new terrestrial applications. District heating, power for remote applications such as under water, remote habitation and geological exploration are candidates for such a power system.

8.7.2.2. Direct conversion systems

RTGs were used 25 years ago for lighting at remote lighthouses, but more applications await these semi-permanent batteries. While not currently possible, the use of RTGs in small industries and even in the home has the potential for reducing reliance on natural gas and oil. A reliable, long lived, maintenance free 10 kW source of electricity for the home would be invaluable.

8.7.2.3. Medicine

While not directly related to nuclear power space development (but indirectly made possible by the use of nuclear power in space exploration), the advanced treatment for prevention of loss of bone material and weakening of bones, which have been experienced by astronauts after extended periods in space, will have a direct spin-off in the treatment of age related osteoporosis.

Other spin-offs include an eye gaze system that allows adults with multiple sclerosis, strokes or brain and spinal cord injuries to be gainfully employed; life saving heart pumps for people awaiting heart transplants and special gels for footwear.

8.7.2.4. Laser equipment

Laser technology used in the production of terrestrial components will necessarily improve to meet the precision requirements of space exploration components, thereby resulting in improved laser technology for domestic use.

8.7.2.5. Electronic devices

Electronic devices for space exploration are minimized for weight and space as well as being made to operate on miniscule amounts of power in adverse environments. Such objectives are equally applicable on earth.

8.7.2.6. Optics

The development and use of precision equipment such as the Hubble Space Telescope have a spin-off for the optics industries both in fabrication techniques and in precision.

8.7.2.7. Time keeping industry

Absolute precision in the measurement of time is a necessity in space and space technology will have a beneficial feedback for terrestrial technology.

8.7.2.8. Refrigeration equipment and others

The use of NPSs for both heating and cooling space equipment during planetary nights and days could provide terrestrial benefits as regards refriger-ation and heating equipment.

8.7.2.9. Materials

Space exploration requires the development of materials capable of withstanding very high and very low temperatures, irradiation, meteorite impact and different pressure regimes. These materials will surely find application in complex technologies. Furthermore, rare metals and materials brought back from space may find immediate use in industries such as computing and information technology. Clearly, these benefits to terrestrial industries will occur automatically as a result of a number of industries meeting new and more compelling specifications for space components and applications.

Figures 50–57 show actual examples of terrestrial applications that have been made possible in the Russian Federation through space research and development at the Kurchatov Institute.

Purpose:

For employment in medical computer tomography and mammography units

Advantages over analogues

Purity of X ray radiation spectrum

Significantly smaller effect of afocal X ray radiation Acceptable price

High energy and operating characteristics are achieved by the use of

metal–ceramic single crystal materials previously used in space nuclear power

Characteristics

Nominal voltage (kV) 150

Focal spot size (mm) 0.6

Anode diameter (mm) not less than 150

Anode material W–Re–C, W–Re–Mo

Anode heat accumulator capacity (kJ) up to 1300 Speed of anode rotation (rpm) up to 9000

:

FIG. 50. Metal–ceramic rotating anode X ray tube. Source: Kurchatov Institute.

FIG. 51. CVD anodes with tungsten and tungsten–rhenium coating for high power medical X ray tubes. Source: Kurchatov Institute.

FIG. 52. Large products made of tungsten and its alloys and produced by the CVD technique. Source: Kurchatov Institute.

Consumer properties:

• Shape perfection and stable properties

• High mechanical strength, hardness and wear resistance

• High heat resistance, radiation strength, dielectric characteristics, inertness in aggressive media

• High melting point (2327 K) and operating temperature, vacuum tightness

• Optical transparency over a wide range of wavelengths

• Biological compatibility

Main fields of application:

• Watch industry (glasses, jewels)

• Optics, lighting engineering (lenses, windows, light pipes)

• Precision engineering industry (guides, sliding bearings, wear resistant tips of measurement tools)

• Electrical and vacuum engineering (insulators, metal–ceramic assemblies)

• Medicine (tips for laser systems, implants)

• Microelectronics (bases for silicon on sapphire)

• Chemical industry (spray nozzles, dies)

Range and geometry of products:

Shaped crystals with untreated surface up to 600 mm in length:

• Tubes 5–40 mm outer diameter, 1 mm minimum inner diameter

• Rods 1–10 mm in diameter

• Plates up to 40 mm in width and 1–15 mm in thickness

Products manufactured by the use of diamond instruments for processing and polishing:

• Tubes, rods, plates

• Machining accuracy is 0.05 mm

• Surface finish Rz= 0.63–0.05 µm Possibility of product manufacturing in shapes and sizes different from the above mentioned

FIG. 53. Synthetic corundum (leucosapphire) and its final products. Source: Kurchatov Institute.

• Emitter and collector materials for thermionic converters

• Fuel element claddings for nuclear reactors

• X ray tube anodes

• High power laser reflection mirrors

• Targets for sputtering

• Electron tube components

• Gas turbine components

• Crucibles and boats for sintering and melting of materials

• Heat pipes

FIG. 54. Single crystals — structural materials of the 21st century. Source: Kurchatov Institute.

The refrigerant C1 is a chemically inert, colourless gas which is non-toxic and ozone friendly. It features low global warming potential (0.015) and zero ozone depletion potential. The impact on the environment of the refrigerant C1 in comparison with other refrigerants is shown in Fig. 57.

8.8. PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED IN SPACE BY THE USE OF