Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #30763: Can Antenna Materials Survive Space? Testing Copper-Zirconium Mesh on the ISS

Spacecraft rely on antennas to communicate with Earth and each other, making antenna durability in space extremely important. One promising material is a copper-zirconium mesh, known for its strength and conductivity. But to know if it’s truly space-ready, it needs to be tested in the environment it’s meant for.

The "Exposure Experiment of Copper-Zirconium Antenna Metal Mesh to the Space Environment" explored how this advanced material holds up in orbit. Led by Satoru Ozawa of JAXA and developed in partnership with multiple Japanese technology companies, this experiment took place during Expedition 64 on the ISS.

By exposing the antenna mesh outside the space station, researchers observed how radiation, atomic oxygen, temperature swings, and micrometeoroid impacts affect its structure and performance. The insights help engineers refine the material for future use in high-frequency antennas, such as those used in deep-space probes and Earth observation satellites.

The data gathered ensures that these next-generation communication systems will be robust and reliable, pushing the boundaries of space technology and making future exploration more connected and efficient.

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