In 2026, experts from Tomsk State University of Radioelectronics and Control Systems (TUSUR) will begin work on creating thermal control coatings for spacecraft, consisting of modified resins and zinc oxide.
The main goal of the development is to reduce overheating and increase the life of the satellite. The coating is highly reflective and radiates heat effectively in the infrared range. Studies have shown that the use of silicon dioxide nanoparticles increases the resistance of optical properties to cosmic radiation by 2 times. The tests were performed on the Spectrum system, simulating conditions in outer space.
In parallel, work is underway on ceramic coatings based on yttrium oxide. This material absorbs 2-4 times less solar radiation than traditional coatings such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Using the new coating could significantly improve the energy efficiency of spaceflight.
Vladimir Goronchko, researcher at the TUSUR Laboratory for Radiation and Space Materials, said: “We are improving traditions and creating new thermostable coatings that help maintain the operating temperature of spacecraft without wasting energy, using the physical properties of the material. At this stage, we managed to almost double the resistance of the optical properties of the polymer binder to the impact of accelerating electrons and quanta of the solar spectrum”. Science.
