Thermal Expansion


Thermal expansion is the tendency of matter to change its shape, area, and volume in response to a change in temperature. In space and astronautical engineering, thermal expansion is a critical factor in the design and operation of spacecraft and their components. The extreme temperatures experienced in space can cause materials to expand or contract, which can lead to mechanical stress, deformation, and failure. Engineers must take into account the thermal expansion properties of materials when designing spacecraft structures, thermal control systems, and propulsion systems. They use materials with low coefficients of thermal expansion, such as carbon fiber composites, and design structures with thermal expansion joints to accommodate the changes in size and shape. Thermal expansion is also a factor in the operation of engines and thrusters, where changes in temperature can affect the performance and efficiency of the system.


Your Previous Searches
Random Picks

  • Heat-resistant Tiles: Heat-resistant tiles are a type of material used in spacecraft to protect against the high temperatures generated during re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. These tiles are made of materials such as ceramics, silica fibers, and reinforced ... Read More >>
  • Binary Inputs: Binary inputs refer to the signals or data that are represented in a two-state system, where each state is represented by a binary digit (0 or 1). In the context of space and astronautical engineering, binary inputs are commonly used in spa ... Read More >>
  • Coherence: Coherence refers to the property of an electromagnetic wave that describes the degree of correlation between its phase and amplitude at any two points in space and time. In the context of space and astronautical engineering, coherence is an ... Read More >>
Top News

Orionids meteor shower is this weekend: Where and when to watch its peak...

Orionids meteor shower is this weekend: Where and when to watch its peakgo.com...

News Source: ABC News on 2024-10-18

Acting or hosting, Travis Kelce wants to continue to pursue a showbiz career. Bu...

Travis Kelce is the host of “Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?”...

News Source: ABC News on 2024-10-09

Now is a great time to see Saturn in all its ringed glory...

My first sight of Saturn through a telescope inspired my love of space. Dig out your telescopes or visit your local astronomy club, and you may be lucky enough to spot our sixth planet's stunning thic...

News Source: New Scientist on 2024-10-09

Was Bruce Willis right? Could a nuclear blast save us from killer asteroid?...

Scientists simulated a nuclear explosion using x-ray pulses to push an asteroid-like rock away in space-like conditions....

News Source: Al Jazeera English on 2024-10-04

China's answer to SpaceX's Starlink is also threatening astronomy...

The first 18 satellites of a planned Chinese mega constellation are brighter than all but 500 stars in the sky, raising fears of a huge impact on astronomy...

News Source: New Scientist on 2024-10-03