Speaker
Description
Spacecraft structural panels can fulfil multiple functions simultaneously. The hollow interior of conventional aluminium honeycomb cores represents a considerable untapped volume that could accommodate materials serving additional roles. The manufacturing feasibility of a multifunctional sandwich concept exploiting this principle is investigated here, in which the honeycomb core is replaced by a layered architecture accommodated within the same structural volume, consisting of polyetherimide (PEI) interlayers and Kevlar® fabric impregnated with epoxy resin, bonded between CFRP face sheets. The materials were selected for their low density, hydrogen-rich composition, and compatibility with standard composite processing, combining load-bearing capability with enhanced shielding performance against protons, heavier ions, and fast neutrons. Manufactured specimens demonstrate that the architecture is realisable using established methods, with particular attention to the process considerations for achieving adequate interfacial bonding within the modified sandwich stack.