Impact Resistant Composite Structures for Space Suit Applications

Composites Automation (CA) proposes to collaborate with the University of Delaware Center for Composite Materials (UD-CCM) and our industry transition partner ILC Dover, to develop innovative material and structure concepts for next generation Space Suit hard composite components. The SBIR goals are develop material systems that survive an impact of 300 J at <0.125” thickness and <1.7 g/cc density with no leaks. Phase I demonstrated a material solution that met these requirements and the ability to balance impact and structural performance with composite design. Phase II will study additional material choices, develop and optimize composite architectures, and demonstrate impact, structure and joint/interface performance. A complete material specification including material composition, process methods and properties will be developed for the optimized solution(s) for use in product design. Phase II will culminate in the design, analysis and manufacture of a full-scale Hatch, based on NASA requirements, with the optimized composite material solutions.