Between growing public interest in space travel and NASA’s planned series of Artemis missions that will allow for deep exploration of the moon and possibly set the stage for travel to Mars, the aerospace industry is faced with calls for greater safety as well as avenues to reduce costs. Thanks to technology, engineers have advanced material innovations on both fronts, with durable polymers and synthetic materials having a starring role.
In the first redesign of NASA’s iconic spacesuits in 50 years, the agency and Axiom Space used a wide variety of flexible, synthetic fibers like Kevlar and Mylar. Synthetic fabrics and fibers in gloves increase mobility and dexterity while thick plastic visors and helmets protect against the harsh environment in space – both are lightweight and provide less stress on astronauts. Another suit developed by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology uses highly elastic synthetic fibers to mimic the effects of gravity to reduce muscle loss while humans are in space. It has protective effects post-travel, and it also allows humans to remain or travel in space for longer periods.
Polymers are helping reduce the cost of space travel by replacing aluminum and other heavy metals on spacecraft, making them lighter, more mobile and less expensive to build, while also reducing fuel requirements. Advancements in space exploration have brought space tourism within reach – a feat that seemed unimaginable just 50 years ago.
Back on Earth, polymers play an even greater role as a mainstay across industries. They are essential to modern life. Everyday consumer products, energy efficiency materials, renewable energy components and electric vehicles, medical devices, food packaging, and so much more enhance our lives, but create a challenge for our planet.
Space travel makes the universe seem a little smaller, but we can’t forget to care for the planet we currently inhabit.
We owe it to ourselves and our planet to find new ways to use and reuse polymers for the benefit of modern life.
With a global focus on sustainability, Encina’s technology is helping global chemical manufacturers decarbonize. Encina makes end-of-life waste streams like hard-to-recycle plastics into the building blocks for new products. Our innovative technology can transform various waste streams into circular chemicals which our customers can use to make everyday consumer and industry products, all at a lower carbon footprint.
Making polymers that are mission-critical to all industries – be it aerospace, manufacturing, technology, automotive or consumer and medical goods – primarily uses virgin fossil fuel resources; our proprietary advanced recycling technology will greatly reduce that need. The result is less reliance on fossil fuels, lower emissions profiles than virgin polymer production and less waste in our landfills and the environment.
While the next generation can dream of affordable space travel, our team at Encina is advancing a world where truly nothing is wasted. Perhaps one day the building blocks we provide our customers with will become a part of your tour into space.