Glossary S

Deutsch: Stellare Astronomie / Español: Astronomía estelar / Português: Astronomia estelar / Français: Astronomie stellaire / Italiano: Astronomia stellare

Stellar astronomy in the space industry refers to the branch of astronomy focused on the study of stars—their formation, evolution, structure, and death. Within the space industry, stellar astronomy drives the design, development, and deployment of advanced space-based telescopes and observation missions. It also supports the technological advancements required to study stars in different wavelengths and at vast distances, contributing to both scientific knowledge and technological innovation.

Deutsch: Sterilisation / Español: Esterilización / Português: Esterilização / Français: Stérilisation / Italiano: Sterilizzazione

Sterilization in the Space industry refers to the process of eliminating all microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, and spores, from spacecraft, equipment, or instruments to prevent biological Contamination of extraterrestrial environments and ensure the integrity of scientific research. It is a Critical measure in planetary protection protocols to avoid introducing Earth-based organisms to other planets, moons, or Celestial bodies.

Deutsch: Steifigkeit / Español: Rigidez / Português: Rigidez / Français: Rigidité / Italiano: Rigidità /

Stiffness is a property that describes the resistance of a material or structure to deformation when subjected to an external force. In aerospace engineering, stiffness plays a crucial role in the design and performance of aircraft and spacecraft structures. A high stiffness-to-weight ratio is often desired to achieve lightweight structures with high strength and durability.

Deutsch: Sturm / Español: Tormenta / Português: Tempestade / Français: Tempête / Italiano: Tempesta

Storm in the Space industry context often refers to significant atmospheric disturbances that can occur on various planets, including Earth. These disturbances can include anything from solar storms, involving emissions and activities of the sun that affect space weather, to more planetary-specific phenomena like dust storms on Mars or the massive storm systems observed on gas giants like Jupiter.

In the aerospace context, strain is a fundamental concept that plays a crucial role in designing and ensuring the structural integrity of aircraft, spacecraft, and related components. It refers to the deformation experienced by a material when subjected to external forces or loads. Understanding strain is essential for engineers and designers as it directly impacts the safety and performance of aerospace systems.

Deutsch: Raumfahrtstrategie / Español: Estrategia espacial / Português: Estratégia espacial / Français: Stratégie spatiale / Italiano: Strategia spaziale /

Strategy refers to the long-term plan or course of action that a company or organization follows to achieve its goals and objectives. In the context of the aerospace industry, strategies may be developed at the corporate level to guide the overall direction and growth of a company, or they may be developed at the business unit level to guide the activities of a specific product line or market segment.

The stratosphere is the second layer of the atmosphere of the Earth, located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere.

Deutsch: Stromlinie / Español: Línea de corriente / Português: Linha de corrente / Français: Ligne de courant / Italiano: Linea di corrente

Streamline in the Space industry refers to the flow path of a fluid, such as air or gas, that moves smoothly around an object, typically a spacecraft or its components. Streamlining is essential for reducing drag, improving aerodynamics, and ensuring the stability and efficiency of vehicles during Launch, re-entry, or when operating within a planetary atmosphere.

Deutsch: Stromlinienförmigkeit / Español: Aerodinamización / Português: Aerodinamização / Français: Optimisation de l’aérodynamisme / Italiano: Ottimizzazione aerodinamica

Streamlining in the Space industry context refers to the design and engineering process aimed at reducing air resistance and minimizing the drag force acting on objects moving through the Atmosphere, such as rockets, Spacecraft, and satellites. This practice is crucial for enhancing the efficiency of space vehicles, improving Fuel economy, and increasing overall performance during launch and atmospheric entry phases.

Deutsch: Strukturelles Design / Español: Diseño Estructural / Português: Design Estrutural / Français: Conception Structurelle / Italiano: Progettazione Strutturale

Structural Design in the Space industry refers to the Engineering and design process that ensures spacecraft, satellites, launch vehicles, and Space Infrastructure can withstand the mechanical stresses and environmental conditions encountered during launch, space travel, and operation. This involves designing the physical framework and load-bearing components of space systems to achieve optimal strength, stability, and performance while minimizing weight and maximizing reliability.

SIP stands for Structural Insulated Panel. It is a type of building material used in the construction of aircraft and other aerospace structures. SIPs are made up of two layers of insulation material sandwiching a structural layer, such as wood or metal. They are used to provide structural Support and insulation in the construction of aircraft and other aerospace structures, such as hangars, terminals, and other facilities.

Deutsch: Strukturelle Integrität / Español: Integridad estructural / Português: Integridade estrutural / Français: Intégrité structurelle / Italiano: Integrità strutturale

Structural Integrity in the Space industry context refers to the strength and durability of spacecraft, satellites, space stations, and other space structures to withstand the forces and conditions they encounter during launch, in Orbit, and during re-entry (if applicable), without experiencing failure or significant degradation. This includes the ability to endure the mechanical stresses of launch, the vacuum and temperature extremes of space, Micrometeoroid impacts, and the Radiation Environment, all while maintaining functionality and safety.

Description

Ensuring structural integrity is Critical for the success and safety of space missions. It involves the application of materials Science, Engineering principles, and rigorous testing to Design structures that can withstand the unique challenges of the space environment. Materials must be chosen not only for their strength and lightness but also for their ability to resist corrosion, radiation damage, and thermal expansion. The design must also consider Redundancy, damage tolerance, and the capacity for self-repair or ease of maintenance, especially for long-duration missions or permanent installations like space stations.

Application Areas

Structural integrity is a key consideration in various aspects of the space industry, including:

• Launch Vehicles: Designing rockets that can withstand the intense forces of lift-off and atmospheric passage.
• Satellites and Spacecraft: Ensuring that satellites can endure the mechanical vibrations of launch, the thermal cycling in orbit, and the potential for Collision with space debris.
• Space Stations: Building modular structures that not only resist the space environment but also Support human life, requiring careful management of air Pressure, temperature, and radiation Shielding.
• Planetary Rovers and Landers: Creating vehicles that can survive the Harsh conditions of other Celestial bodies, including landing impacts, extreme temperatures, and abrasive Dust.

Well-Known Examples

• International Space Station (ISS): An example of a modular space structure designed for long-term human habitation in space, demonstrating principles of structural integrity through its resistance to the space environment while maintaining a safe living space.
• SpaceX Falcon 9: A reusable launch vehicle that has to maintain structural integrity across multiple launches and landings, showcasing the importance of durable design and engineering.
• Mars Rovers (e.g., Curiosity, Perseverance): Vehicles designed to withstand the mechanical stresses of landing on Mars, as well as the planet's temperature fluctuations and dust storms.

Treatment and Risks

Maintaining structural integrity in space structures involves addressing several challenges:

• Material Degradation: Spacecraft materials can degrade over time due to radiation, thermal cycling, and micrometeoroid impacts.
• Mechanical Stresses: The launch and landing processes subject space vehicles to extreme mechanical stresses, necessitating robust design and construction.
• Environmental Conditions: Vacuum, temperature extremes, and solar radiation in space can affect the Performance and longevity of materials and components.

Similar Terms or Synonyms

• Spacecraft durability
• Mechanical integrity in space engineering
• Spacecraft Structural Design

Summary

Structural integrity in the space industry is fundamental to ensuring that space vehicles and structures can withstand the extreme conditions of space travel and the space environment without failure. Through careful selection of materials, detailed engineering design, and extensive testing, space structures can achieve the resilience needed to support the ambitious goals of space exploration and utilization.

--

Deutsch: Struktur / Español: Estructura / Português: Estrutura / Français: Structure / Italiano: Struttura /

In the aerospace industry, structure refers to the framework or underlying Support that is used to hold aircraft and spacecraft together and give them their shape and form. The structure of an aircraft or spacecraft is typically made up of a combination of materials, such as metal alloys, composites, and other materials, that are selected for their strength, weight, and other characteristics.

STS stands for "Space Transportation System." In the aerospace industry, STS refers to the Space Shuttle, which was a reusable spacecraft that was used by NASA for over 30 years to carry astronauts, payloads, and supplies to and from low Earth orbit.

Deutsch: Submillimeter / Español: Submilímetro / Português: Submilímetro / Français: Submillimètre / Italiano: Sottomillimetro

In the Space industry context, submillimeter refers to wavelengths of electromagnetic Radiation that are shorter than one millimeter but longer than infrared waves, typically ranging from about 0.1 millimeters (100 micrometers) to 1 millimeter. This part of the spectrum is crucial for astronomical observations and is often used to study cold and distant objects in space, such as molecular clouds, star-forming regions, and the early Universe.

General Description

Submillimeter astronomy is a field that involves observing the universe in the submillimeter range of the electromagnetic spectrum. This wavelength range is particularly useful for detecting thermal radiation from cold Dust and gas in space, which is not visible in optical or infrared wavelengths. Submillimeter observations can reveal crucial information about the Composition, Temperature, Density, and motion of these materials.

Application Areas

Observing Molecular Clouds and Star Formation

• Molecular Clouds: These dense regions of gas and dust are the birthplaces of stars. Submillimeter observations can penetrate these clouds and reveal the processes leading to star formation.
• Protostars and Young Stellar Objects: Submillimeter wavelengths can detect the thermal emissions from protostars and their surrounding disks, providing insights into the early stages of star formation.

Studying Galaxies and Cosmology

• High-Redshift Galaxies: Submillimeter observations allow astronomers to study distant galaxies formed in the early universe, offering clues about galaxy formation and Evolution.
• Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB): Submillimeter telescopes can contribute to studies of the CMB, the afterglow of the Big Bang, providing information about the universe's origin and evolution.

Examining Planetary Systems and Comets

• Planetary Atmospheres: Observing in the submillimeter range can reveal details about the atmospheres of planets and moons within our solar system.
• Cometary Studies: Submillimeter wavelengths can detect the thermal emissions and molecular composition of comets, shedding Light on their Structure and origins.

Well-Known Examples

Several notable observatories and missions are dedicated to submillimeter astronomy:

• Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA): Located in Chile, ALMA is one of the most advanced submillimeter observatories, consisting of 66 high-Precision antennas. It has provided groundbreaking insights into star formation, planet formation, and the early universe.
• Herschel Space Observatory: Operated by the European Space Agency (ESA), Herschel was the largest infrared Space Telescope, covering wavelengths from the far-infrared to the submillimeter. It made significant discoveries about the cold universe before its mission ended in 2013.
• Submillimeter Array (SMA): Located on Mauna Kea in Hawaii, the SMA is an interferometer array of eight radio telescopes that studies the universe at submillimeter wavelengths.

Treatment and Risks

Conducting submillimeter observations involves several challenges and considerations:

• Atmospheric Absorption: Earth's atmosphere absorbs submillimeter radiation, making ground-based observations difficult. Observatories are often located at high altitudes or in dry environments to minimize this effect.
• Technical Complexity: Submillimeter telescopes and detectors require advanced technology and precise Engineering to achieve the necessary sensitivity and resolution.
• Data Processing: The large volumes of data generated by submillimeter observations require sophisticated processing and analysis techniques.

Similar Terms

• Millimeter Astronomy: Refers to observations at slightly longer wavelengths, typically from 1 millimeter to 10 millimeters. It is closely related to submillimeter astronomy.
• Far-Infrared Astronomy: Overlaps with submillimeter astronomy and covers wavelengths just shorter than the submillimeter range, from about 25 micrometers to 0.1 millimeters.
• Radio Astronomy: Involves observing at longer wavelengths than millimeter and submillimeter astronomy, typically from a few millimeters to several meters.

Summary

Submillimeter astronomy is a vital field in the space industry, enabling the study of cold and distant objects in the universe that are not visible at other wavelengths. Observatories like ALMA and missions like the Herschel Space Observatory have significantly advanced our understanding of star formation, galaxy evolution, and the early universe. Despite the challenges of atmospheric absorption and technical Complexity, submillimeter observations continue to provide crucial insights into the hidden aspects of the Cosmos.

--

Deutsch: Teilmenge / Español: Subconjunto / Português: Subconjunto / Français: Sous-ensemble / Italiano: Sottoinsieme

Subset in the Space industry context refers to a specific portion or a smaller group of elements within a larger set related to Space operations, missions, technology, or data. This term is used widely in data analysis, project management, and systems engineering to describe components, groups, or categories that are part of a larger system but can be distinctly identified and analyzed on their own.

In the aerospace context, the sun refers to the star at the center of the solar system. It is the primary source of light and heat for the planets in our solar system, including Earth.

Deutsch: Superkleber / Español: Pegamento superfuerte / Português: Super cola / Français: Super colle / Italiano: Super colla

In the space industry, super glue refers to a variety of high-Performance adhesives used for bonding components in Spacecraft and other Aerospace applications. These adhesives are specifically formulated to withstand the harsh conditions of space, such as extreme temperatures, Vacuum, and Radiation.

A supernova is a destructive explosion of a star at its end of life in a powerful and luminous explosion. This explosion makes it as bright as a whole galaxy.

Deutsch: Unterstützung / Español: Apoyo / Português: Suporte / Français: Soutien / Italiano: Supporto

Support in the Space industry refers to a broad range of assistance, services, and infrastructure that enable the successful Development, launch, operation, and Maintenance of space missions and technologies. This encompasses everything from ground control operations, technical expertise, and engineering services to supply chain Logistics and financial backing essential for Space Exploration and Satellite deployment.