HPS GmbH

Customer ESA (2008-2010)
	The objective of this ARTES activity is to achieve performance improvements of the structural composite materials for telecom satellites by using carbon nanospecies (CNS).

The project started with the identification of a large number of structural elements which might benefit from the use of CNS. The application trade-off has been conducted recently yielding the following most promising applications:

1. Antenna reflectors
2. Waveguides (backup)
3. Radiators

Currently the manufacturing processes of new types of CNS-matrices, CNS-carbon foams and CNS-CFRP-Composites are in the first iteration. Later, the new materials as well as the reference materials shall be tested and characterised in detail in a characterisation test campaign covering thermo-mechanical and electrical tests focused on target characteristics of the demonstrator on laminated skin and sandwich sample level (if applicable).

A further task shall comprise the detailed design and manufacturing of a demonstrator taking into account the materials and processes of the prior task. A demonstrator test plan shall be established in order to be able to judge the improvements achieved by incorporating CNS and new types of carbon fibres. According to this test plan a demonstrator test campaign shall be performed to verify the feasibility of the application of nano-materials and to compare with the initial expected improvements potential.
In the frame of this activity, all CNTs will have the origin of FutureCarbon. Inputs to space applications have been provided by Astrium. Main material developers are INVENT (D), TU Hamburg (D), University of Bayreuth and INEGI (PT). Testing will be performed by ARC (A).