How Nanotechnology Can Improve Spaceships

Regardless of how fuel efficient propulsion systems are, it’s still important to make spacecraft lightweight. Researchers are investigating nanotube composites from which they can manufacture strong and lightweight skin and structural members for spacecraft. However this is just the start of how nanotechnology could change the way that spaceships are made. NASA has included a concept called self healing spaceships in their 2030 nanotechnology roadmap. Just as your skin heals a small puncture wound NASA is looking to nanotechnology to provide a way for the skin and structural components of a spaceship to seal up damage from meteors that strike the spaceship.

NASA is also planning to use nanosensors to improve the monitoring of spaceship systems such as life support. The ability of nanosensors to quickly report changed levels of trace chemicals in air could be very useful to keeping life support systems working correctly in a spaceship’s closed system. A longer term proposal is to place nanosensors throughout the skin of a spacecraft to act like nerve endings in your skin. When a particular region of the spacecraft skin becomes is stressed or damaged, the main computer is alerted to take action and alter the spaceship’s course, just as you would jerk your hand away from a hot stove.