Radiation-shielding composite materials and their methods of manufacture. Such methods may include adding a metal hydride to a hardenable matrix precursor, adding a reinforcing material to the hardenable matrix precursor, and hardening the matrix precursor to form a composite material that incorporates the reinforcing material and the metal hydride in a solid matrix. The resulting radiation-shielding composite materials are configured to attenuate incident radiation, and may be used in the construction of panels, laminate structures, buildings, and aerospace vehicles, among others.

Systems and methods for printed multifunctional skin are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a smart device includes providing a structure, placing a sensor over an outer surface of the structure, and placing conductive traces over the outer surface of the structure. The conductive traces electrically connect the sensor to electronics.

A protective layer, a cell and a method provide radiation shielding. The cell and the protective layer formed of a plurality of cells provide radiation shielding, such as from protons and alpha particles having dangerously high energy levels, while being more lightweight than a conventional bulk HDPE protective layer. In the context of a protective layer, the protective layer includes a plurality of cells positioned proximate one another. The plurality of cells include at least a first cell. The first cell includes a cell body formed of an insulative material and extends between opposed first and second ends. The first cell also includes a conductive spherical portion proximate the first end of the cell body and an electrode disposed interior of the conductive spherical portion.

A protective layer, a cell and a method provide radiation shielding. The cell and the protective layer formed of a plurality of cells provide radiation shielding, such as from protons and alpha particles having dangerously high energy levels, while being more lightweight than a conventional bulk HDPE protective layer. In the context of a protective layer, the protective layer includes a plurality of cells positioned proximate one another. The plurality of cells include at least a first cell. The first cell includes a cell body formed of an insulative material and extends between opposed first and second ends. The first cell also includes a conductive spherical portion proximate the first end of the cell body and an electrode disposed interior of the conductive spherical portion.

In some aspects, this disclosure relates to improved Z-grade materials, such as those used for shielding, systems incorporating such materials, and processes for making such Z-grade materials. In some examples, the Z-grade material includes a diffusion zone including mixed metallic alloy material with both a high atomic number material and a lower atomic number material. In certain examples, a process for making Z-grade material includes combining a high atomic number material and a low atomic number material, and bonding the high atomic number material and the low atomic number together using diffusion bonding. The processes may include vacuum pressing material at an elevated temperature, such as a temperature near a softening or melting point of the low atomic number material. In another aspect, systems such as a vault or an electronic enclosure are disclosed, where one or more surfaces of Z-grade material make up part or all of the vault/enclosure.

An insulation panel includes a face sheet hermetically coupled to a plurality of structural walls to define a plurality of cell bodies, with each cell body positioned contiguously with an adjacent cell body. An insulation structure is disposed within each cell body and further includes a first radiant barrier layer, a second radiant barrier layer, and a spacer disposed between the first radiant barrier layer and the second radiant barrier layer. Sealed cells formed by completing the cell bodies may contain a gas that condenses or freezes in response to cryogenic cooling of a structure to which the insulation panel is coupled. Load-responsive spacers may also be disposed between the insulation structure and the face sheet to support the face sheet while in atmospheric conditions and to disengage from the face sheet in low pressure environments, such as space.

A space transport system includes one or more cyclers orbiting between a first planetary body and another planetary body. The space transport system also includes one or more taxi vehicles, each of which carry cargo, humans, or both. The one or more taxi vehicles dock with the one or more cyclers and undock with the one or more cyclers when landing on the first planetary body or the second planetary body.

A control device includes a computation section that computes information related to an effect of radiation received by a rover based on error information of a processing device provided to the rover, and a control section that performs control so as to reduce the effect of radiation received by the rover based on the information related to an effect of radiation computed by the computation section.

A composite material comprising a first shielding layer (210); at least one metal containing layer (208) over the first shielding layer; and a second shielding layer (206) over said at least one metal containing layer opposite of the first shielding layer; wherein the first shielding layer (210) and the second shielding layer (206) each and/or in combination with other layers of the composite material provide the composite material with radiation shielding characteristics.

An optical baffle is provided that maximizes light reflection and absorption and, thus, enables a spacecraft camera to capture images of extremely faint objects, such as stars, while illuminated by a very bright source, such as the sun. The optical baffle may be manufactured by additive manufacturing techniques and unique materials to create unique geometry and very absorbent surfaces to trap light.