The spin-stabilised spacecraft Juno has been built with the mighty task to orbit planet Jupiter.
NASA have issued fantastic information reagrding the spacecraft and its travel – including the ability to track Juno’s position using their website.
Launched near 5 years ago, we’re right on time as Juno enters orbit around Jupiter.
Titanium And The One Giant Leap For Mankind
This alloy has long been known for its incredible strength.
It provides fantastic resistance to challenges on our planet – such as seawater corrosion.
However, one area we rarely hear about is its durability on spacecraft structures.
Titanium has high strength compared to its weight, but this isn’t the only reason why it is used so often in the aerospace industry.
The Properties Of Titanium
This metal has the ability to withstand some very high temperatures. As you can imagine, in space, it is essential for materials to withstand incredible atmospheric pressures. Although Juno won’t face the same temperature problems as low-Earth orbiting crafts and satellites will, it will be experiencing a lack of sun radiation.
At the centre of Juno, sits the vehicle’s electronics vault that protects the precious electrical set-up from the harsh environment surrounding it. Juno will need to endure not only cruising through deep-space, but it will need to endure flying through Jupiter’s intense radiation belts.
Juno’s radiation vault is made of titanium alloy with a thickness of one centimeter.
The top deck of Juno is planned to receive a radiation dose of 22 Mrad, showing the amazing shielding capability of the vault.
Titanium In Space
Did you know?
- A NASA probe discovered the moon was packed with precious titanium ore
- The bulkhead of spacecrafts are made from this metal as well as, aluminium and other standardised metals due to a need for high pressure and temperature resistance
Titanium Grade 2
Waverley Brownall are proud manufacturers of fittings and valves in Grade 2 for uses in the aerospace, oil and gas, chemical and processing industries.
For more information on our special metals, email: enquiries@waverleybrownall.co.uk