3D Printing
News Videos Newsletter Contact us
Home / News / NASA Reveals New 4D Fabric For Shielding Space Shuttles
qidi

NASA Reveals New 4D Fabric For Shielding Space Shuttles

April 21, 2017

NASA has a long history of leveraging the advantages of 3D printing for its operations. They have already made use of EBAM and SLA. This time around, they have developed a new 4D fabric that helps shield space shuttles from meteorites. This new fabric also helps insulate the space vessels from extreme heat.

The material was made by systems engineer Raul Polit Casillas. The fabric is a combination of undisclosed metal substances. One of the ways in which it deters excess heat is that it has 2 sides: one which reflects heat and one that absorbs it. Both these sides work in tandem to produce a thermal control for passive heat management.

Related Story
NASA Prepping to Add 3D Printed Radiation Shields to ISS Habitat

Another very promising quality of the fabric is that, as the lead scientists have pointed out, it is programmable. Programmable materials are a product of 4D printing. This allows researchers to install various functions into the fabric in response to factors such as, for example heat or sound. In reaction to these stimuli it can react in kind. This is particularly useful in spaceflight where the environment is so extreme and in need for versatile machineries and materials.

The 4D fabric material is ideal for space flight due to various other properties as well. It is also flexible and foldable, making it ideal for use within the sheath of spacecrafts. In fact, it’s thin and flexible structure also lends it to possible use in space suits themselves. NASA is planning to program it for future applications as well. They have, as of yet, not revealed what the fabric is composed of.

Space Flight NASA Material 4D Fabric 3D Printing

NASA and 3D Printing

Space travel projects, and particularly NASA, have a storied history together. Many space exploration programs have made great use of 3D printing. As mentioned earlier, NASA frequently use EBAM (electron beam additive manufacturing) to develop space tech.

NASA (and even air travel companies) find the ease of use that 3D printing allows to be a very handy. It has also allowed them to experiment with many different materials. NASA has supported 3D printing in other ways as well. One of which is encouraging the creation of products in space through competitions like the 3D printed habitat challenge.

Share:
WhatsApp Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Buffer Reddit E-mail
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Latest posts

3D-Printed Insects Help Scientists Map the Limits of Mimicry in Nature

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed a method to 3D print life-sized, color-accurate insect models for biological research. The team, led... read more »

Environmental

University of Hong Kong Scientists Explore Growing Organs with 3D Printing Technology

Researchers at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) are working to combine 3D-printed respiratory tissue with lab-grown organoids to create functional airways for... read more »

Bioprinting
University of Hong Kong Scientists Explore Growing Organs with 3D Printing Technology

SHINING 3D Unveils EinScan Rigil with Tri-Mode Scanning for Pro-Level Flexibility

SHINING 3D has launched its newest flagship 3D scanner, the EinScan Rigil — touted as the world’s first 3D scanner featuring Tri-Mode operation... read more »

News
SHINING 3D Unveils EinScan Rigil with Tri-Mode Scanning for Pro-Level Flexibility

ETH Zurich 3D Prints Recycled Plastic Structure for Swiss Ice Cream Shop

ETH Zurich students have completed a 3D-printed ice cream shop in the Swiss Alpine village of Mulegns. The project, called Gelateria, was designed... read more »

Construction
ETH Zurich 3D Prints Recycled Plastic Structure for Swiss Ice Cream Shop

Hugo Launches 3D Printed Loafers with Zellerfeld

Hugo, the younger brand under Hugo Boss, has partnered with 3D printing company Zellerfeld to create a fully 3D-printed loafer. The shoe is... read more »

Fashion
Hugo Launches 3D Printed Loafers with Zellerfeld

3D Printed Resin Combines Rubber Flexibility with Plastic Strength, Surprising Scientists

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a 3D printing method that can create objects with both soft and hard... read more »

News
3D Printed Resin Combines Rubber Flexibility with Plastic Strength, Surprising Scientists

LPE Supports Queen’s Propulsion Laboratory with 3D Printed Rocket Engine Chamber

Students at Queen's University Belfast have developed what they describe as Ireland's first student-built liquid rocket engine. The Kelvin Mk.1, named after Belfast-born... read more »

3D Printing Metal
LPE Supports Queen’s Propulsion Laboratory with 3D Printed Rocket Engine Chamber

Dassault Systèmes and Patrick Jouin Unveil New 3D Printed Chair

Dassault Systèmes and French designer Patrick Jouin have unveiled Ta.Tamu, a 3D-printed chair developed using the company's 3DEXPERIENCE platform. The project represents a... read more »

News
Dassault Systèmes and Patrick Jouin Unveil New 3D Printed Chair

Endemic Architecture Debuts 3D Printed Homes in Rural California

A development of five 3D-printed homes called Corduroy Castles is currently under construction in Olivehurst, California, a rural town in Yuba County located... read more »

Construction
Endemic Architecture Debuts 3D Printed Homes in Rural California

Social

  • Facebook Facebook 3D Printing
  • Linkedin Linkedin 3D Printing
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Fashion
  • Medical
  • Military
  • QIDI Tech Q1 Pro

    • - Print size: 245 x 245 x 245 mm
    • - 600mm/s max speed
    More details »
    $449.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • Snapmaker Artisan Premium 3-in-1

    • - Print size: 400 x 400 x 400 mm
    • - comes with enclosure
    More details »
    $2,999.00 Snapmaker
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Tech X-Max 3

    • - Print size: 325 x 325 x 315 mm
    • - fully enclosed
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Plus4

    • - Print size: 305 x 305 x 280 mm
    • - print temperature of 370°C
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now

Company Information

  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing

Blog

  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal

Featured Reviews

  • Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
  • Creality Ender 5 S1
  • The Mole 3D Scanner
  • Flashforge Creator 3 Pro

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
2025 — Strikwerda en Dehue
  • Home
  • Join our mailing list
  • Contact us
Blog
  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal
Featured Industries
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
Company Information
  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing