AEROSPACE ENGINEERING

Abstract

This presentation discusses two major challenges with regard to visiting near-earth objects: (1) protecting spacecraft during the flight and mission; and (2) landing and sample-return strategy. Meteorite collision and the hazard from orbital debris are of the growing international concern for the safety of spacecraft and space-based infrastructure. Thus, preventing catastrophic failure under high-velocity impact is necessary to enhance spacecraft, robotic vehicles, and space-based infrastructure survivability. The first part of this presentation, therefore, aims to create a systematic resolution to replace conventional protective materials with advanced lattice structures (LS). On the other hand, a successful landing and sample-return mission depend on understanding the surface materials (regolight) mechanical properties and size distribution. Thus, investigating the mechanisms associated with the rock breakdown on the surface of planetary bodies, which enables predicting the size distribution and mechanical properties of the regolith is another crucial element for space exploration. In addition, surface properties influence observable traits such as optical and thermal properties, physical structure, and chemical and mineralogical properties that could lead to misinterpretation of the remotely sensed data if the key mechanisms involved are not identified. Herein, we characterize the mechanisms by which a sitting rock on the surface of a near-earth object disaggregates as a result of mechanical loading against other environmental variables.

Speaker

Dr. Kavan Hazeli

Assistant Professor at the Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. He received his Ph.D. degree from the Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics Department at Drexel University in 2014. He completed his postdoctoral training at the Hopkins Extreme Materials Institute at Johns Hopkins University. His research lies at the intersection of applied mechanics, materials science, and manufacturing. Specifically, he uses a combined experimental and modeling platform to map processing-microstructure-property relationships in multifunctional materials made of super alloys and advanced lightweight materials with macroscopic and microscopic hierarchical structures. His research contributes to the materials-by-design framework that is to develop next-generation high-strength, lightweight multifunctional materials faster, chapter and more predictable. The broader impact of his research is to extend Materials Genome to accomplish rapid application-oriented design and establish physics-based criteria for fracture and fatigue life prediction.