Composite materials having enhanced radiation shielding and multifunctional characteristics can provide design advantages for future spacecraft, large space structures, space stations, orbiters, landers, rovers, and habitats. Some vehicles include the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCW) and future Multi-Mission Space Exploration Vehicles (MMSEV). The developed technology may also find use for radiation shielding of cargo transportation vehicles and unmanned space vehicles to protect sensitive electronics and instruments.
Commercial applications come from NASA funded crew and cargo space transportation partners including Dragon, SpaceX, Dream Chaser, Sierra Nevada Corporation, Crew Space Transportation-(CST)100, The Boeing Company, Crew Transportation System, Blue Origin, and Cygnus, Orbital Sciences Corporation. Other applications may be found in DOD applications involving high altitude reconnaissance aircraft, satellites, and other aerospace vehicles. Other commercial applications could be found in commercial satellites and manned and unmanned aircraft to protect sensitive electronic equipment and instruments.
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