A piece of aerogel similar to the one developed by Chinese scientists. (Photo : Twitter)
Chinese scientists have reportedly developed a new material that could be used as an effective insulator for space-faring vehicles.
According to senior engineer Zou Junfeng of the Aerospace institute of Advanced Materials and Processing Technology, his team has developed a type of substance known as aerogel that is able to withstand a wide range of temperatures from -100 degrees Celsius up to 2,500 degrees Celsius, China Daily reported.
The material, Zou said, is now being used as insulation for some of China's latest weapons and space vehicles, such as the new Long March 5 rocket, allowing these vehicles to withstand extreme temperature changes in outer space.
In the case of the Long March 5, the aerogel will be used as insulation for the engine's pipes to maintain the temperature of the propellant and the liquid oxygen.
Furthermore, Zou said that the material is able to withstand the extreme vibrations that the rocket experiences.
The material is also considered as the lightest solid substance ever manufactured, opening a wide variety of application where weight also plays an important factor.
Aerogel was first discovered by scientists at from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with NASA extensively using it for its Mars rovers. The material is also being extensively used by Russia and the European Union for their respective space missions.
With China now being able to manufacture its own aerogel products, Zou said that they will know be able to greatly expand applications. He said that the cargo spacecraft to be launched next year will use the material for its refrigerators to cut down on weight, while there are also plans to incorporate it in China's future Mars rovers, Zee News reported.
Zou added that the material is also being promoted for use by the civilian sector, including in ships and high-speed trains.
