Spacecraft Need New Heat Shields. Cue the Cuttlefish?

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Scientists are always searching for new materials that maximize strength and thermal protection while also minimizing mass for space flight. So, when developing new heat shields, why are they looking to cuttlefish for inspiration?

Hosted by: Caitlin Hofmeister

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Sources:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/articles/A38144-2003Feb6.html
https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/heat-shields
https://interestingengineering.com/what-keeps-spaceships-from-burning-up-during-reentry
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/cami/library/online_libraries/aerospace_medicine/tutorial/media/iii.4.1.7_returning_from_space.pdf
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200911141711.htm
https://www.nature.com/articles/1841330a0
https://www.pnas.org/content/117/38/23450
https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/3d-printed-ceramic-foam-is-stronger-lighter
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316178034_Extreme_lightweight_structures_Avian_feathers_and_bones
https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/materials-science-and-engineering/3-054-cellular-solids-structure-properties-and-applications-spring-2015/lecture-notes/MIT3_054S15_L18_Nat_trans.pdf
https://www.technologyreview.com/2019/06/26/134445/nasa-engineers-build-better-heat-shield/

Image Sources:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Columbia_Memorial.JPG
https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/1.4993202
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bones_(human,_bird).png
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3D_visualisation_of_%C2%B5CT-data_of_a_cuttlebone_05.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3D_visualisation_of_%C2%B5CT-data_of_a_cuttlebone_01.jpg
https://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/apollo/apollo8/html/s68-55292.html
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Apollo_12_heat_shield.JPG
https://mars.nasa.gov/mer/gallery/artwork/entry_br.html