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Spacecraft, heal thyself
 
20 January 2006

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A time lapse sequence of self-repair taking place
Hollow fibres just 30 micrometres in diameter tread the new material. When damage occurs, the fibres break releasing liquids that seep into the cracks and harden, repairing the damage.

Credits: ESA
 
 
Related links
ESA's General Studies ProgrammeAdvanced Concept Team activities on BiomimeticsDepartment of Aerospace Engineering, University of Bristol, UK
In depth
Self-healing spacecraft (video)Study Report on "Enabling Self Healing Capabilities"
 
 
 
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