A system and method for manufacturing a space-based component in space. The method includes collecting and capturing space debris directly from and suspended in space, heating the collected space debris using solar radiation in a manner that separately and independently melts different constituent elements and compounds in the space debris, collecting the different constituent elements and compounds as they are being separately melted, storing the elements and compounds in a molten, solid or vapor form, and fabricating the space-based component using the stored elements and compounds.

The functional condition of an induction crucible furnace is checked by first establishing a set-point parameter corresponding to an optimum functional condition of the induction crucible furnace and characterizing the vibratory behavior of same. Then, during normal operation of the furnace, an actual-value parameter of the vibratory behavior is determined. These two parameters are then compared and, if a magnitude of a difference therebetween exceeds a threshold, an alarm is generated.

The functional condition of an induction crucible furnace is checked by first establishing a set-point parameter corresponding to an optimum functional condition of the induction crucible furnace and characterizing the vibratory behavior of same. Then, during normal operation of the furnace, an actual-value parameter of the vibratory behavior is determined. These two parameters are then compared and, if a magnitude of a difference therebetween exceeds a threshold, an alarm is generated.

The present invention relates to an arrangement for low-pressure casting of refractory metals, with a furnace chamber with one or a plurality of gas supply openings (6) and gas outlet openings (7), and a riser pipe (8) through a cover (5) of the furnace chamber, a melting container (3, 12) for the refractory metals arranged in the furnace chamber, and a heating device for heating the refractory metals in the melting container (3, 12). In the proposed arrangement, the melting container (3, 12) is formed as an exchangeable insert for a receiving mould (2) supporting the melting container (3, 12), which is arranged in the furnace chamber, wherein a thermally insulating layer (4, 17) is formed between the receiving mould (2) and the melting container (3, 12), or is integrated into the melting container (3, 12). With the proposed arrangement, a quick and easy exchange of the melting container for different alloys can also be carried out in the low-pressure casting of refractory metals.

The application basically comprises supplying a high-temperature ultra-high vacuum furnace, the sole chamber of which is metal, in which an electrically conductive crucible, preferably made of tantalum, is placed onto an insulating support, preferably a ceramic, and is induction heated by a winding wound around the crucible. The insulating tube, preferably made of quartz, that is arranged between the induction winding and the crucible, advantageously acts as a surface on which the condensable species can condense. The quartz insulating tube especially allows the induction winding to be protected.

The application basically comprises supplying a high-temperature ultra-high vacuum furnace, the sole chamber of which is metal, in which an electrically conductive crucible, preferably made of tantalum, is placed onto an insulating support, preferably a ceramic, and is induction heated by a winding wound around the crucible. The insulating tube, preferably made of quartz, that is arranged between the induction winding and the crucible, advantageously acts as a surface on which the condensable species can condense. The quartz insulating tube especially allows the induction winding to be protected.

A crucible having a heat treated body. The heat treated body comprises a composition including an oxide material, from 5 wt % to 50 wt % a nitride material, and optionally a sintering aid. A weight ratio of the nitride material to the oxide material ranges from 0.02:1 to 2.0:1. The heat treated body has an oxide material lattice structure with nitride material at least partially encapsulated therein.

A crucible having a heat treated body. The heat treated body comprises a composition including an oxide material, from 5 wt % to 50 wt % a nitride material, and optionally a sintering aid. A weight ratio of the nitride material to the oxide material ranges from 0.02:1 to 2.0:1. The heat treated body has an oxide material lattice structure with nitride material at least partially encapsulated therein.

The present invention provides a crucible for melting and casting a metal fuel, which includes a reaction preventing layer including: LaYO.sub.3; or ZrO.sub.2 containing a Y.sub.2O.sub.3 stabilizer at 5 to 10 wt %, and a method of melting and casting a metal fuel using the same.

The present invention provides a crucible for melting and casting a metal fuel, which includes a reaction preventing layer including: LaYO.sub.3; or ZrO.sub.2 containing a Y.sub.2O.sub.3 stabilizer at 5 to 10 wt %, and a method of melting and casting a metal fuel using the same.