Lightweight
In the context of space and astronautical engineering, lightweight refers to the property of a material or structure that has a low mass-to-strength ratio. This is a crucial characteristic for spacecraft and launch vehicles, as reducing weight can increase payload capacity, reduce fuel consumption, and lower launch costs. Lightweight materials commonly used in space engineering include composites, aluminum alloys, and titanium alloys. Engineers also use lightweight design techniques such as topology optimization, which involves removing material from non-critical areas of a structure to reduce weight while maintaining strength. In addition, lightweighting can also refer to the process of reducing the weight of individual components or systems within a spacecraft or launch vehicle to improve overall performance.
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