Speaker
Description
The growing deployment of nanosatellites is intensifying the need for more sustainable design strategies in the space sector, particularly regarding material selection for structural and thermal protection functions. This work investigates the potential of a cork-based material as eco-friendly alternative for use in CubeSat platforms, within the broader context of sustainable satellite engineering and clean space design.
Cork agglomerates offer an attractive combination of low density, renewable origin, low thermal conductivity, vibration-damping capacity, and reduced environmental footprint when compared with conventional petroleum-derived core and insulation materials. However, their adoption in space systems requires a robust understanding of their thermomechanical performance under relevant operational and launch conditions. This thesis focuses on the characterization and engineering assessment of cork composite P50, for possible integration into sustainable nanosatellite structures.
The material is currently being experimentally characterized to support its constitutive definition for finite element modelling. Mechanical and thermal tests are being conducted to obtain the key properties required for accurate representation in FEM.
Based on this characterization, both structural and thermal numerical analyses will be performed, focusing on the critical load cases relevant for CubeSat applications. These analyses aim to validate the material behaviour under representative operational and launch conditions.
In parallel, the satellite is being actively designed and engineered with the objective of real-world implementation, ensuring that the developed solutions are not purely conceptual but aligned with practical mission requirements.
Additionally, a proto-flight level experimental validation campaign will be developed and implemented to assess the accuracy and reliability of the numerical model. into aerospace design frameworks.