Beauty of gold Part 02: A look at Outer earth Application
Gold is a lustrous and coveted metal that has captured the imagination of humans for centuries. When looking at its undeniable value, glittering beauty and malleability which sums up to present it as a symbol of wealth and luxury. Beyond its ornamental and monetary significance, there are many intriguing facts about gold that make it a remarkable element. In my last post I discussed Beauty of gold part 01, how gold has ventured even into the medical sector. Did you know gold has a large application in the space sector. In this part 02 of the article we will discuss how the value of gold has gone beyond earth's application.
Gold and it's Space Application
Gold is known to have unique properties and this has aided in its application to different fields. Yes, gold aside from being a store of value, used in the fashion world or medical sector plays a significant role in various aspects of space exploration. Here are some ways in which gold is used in the field of space exploration:
Reflective Coatings
Ever wondered how spacecraft manage to withstand the space radiation? components of spacecraft including satellites and space telescopes are gold coated. Gold is known to have a high reflective surface, an excellent choice for reflecting and dispersing solar radiation. This property helps regulate the temperature of the spacecraft and prevent overheating, especially in the harsh conditions of outer space.
Space Telescopes
Gold aids in quality image formation and as such, many space telescopes, such as the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope, feature gold-coated mirrors. The idea here creates mirrors that improve their ability to capture and transmit high-quality images of distant celestial objects, as they reflect infrared light while transmitting visible and ultraviolet light.
To Shield Radiation
Did you know astronauts' visors and spacesuits are often coated with a thin layer of gold to protect them from the intense radiation when in space? Gold application ventures into spacecraft and spacesuits for its ability to shield against harmful radiation from the sun and cosmic rays.
Electrical Connectivity
Believe me, you wouldn't want to be a victim of a gold wire when passed through electricity. It's excellent conductivity and resistance to corrosion makes it ideal for use in electrical connections and circuitry within spacecraft. It helps retain electrical components as they continue to function reliably over extended missions in the vacuum of space.
Thermal Control
For those of us who are not much of physics freaks, Gold is used in thermal(heat) control systems for spacecraft. Its reflective properties help manage the distribution of heat, allowing for the regulation of temperatures on various components. This is very essential to the spacecraft to ensure that instruments and equipment operate within their specified temperature ranges.
Spacecraft Insulation
Gold is used as a part of multi-layer insulation( mostly materials with low thermal conductivity, high electrical resistance, or the ability to dampen sound waves) systems on spacecraft. Insulation systems consist of layers of reflective material in which gold is included, to control heat transfer and protect against extreme temperature variations in space.
Ion Propulsion
Some advanced spacecraft use ion propulsion systems to aid in generating thrust which rely on gold-plated grids. These grids help generate and expel ions, providing efficient propulsion for deep space missions.
Deep Space Missions
Gold-coated materials are commonly used in missions to the outer planets and deep space. These materials protect against the extreme cold and solar radiation encountered during long-duration missions.
Communication System
Gold-plated components are applied in the construction of communication equipment and satellite dishes. This application aids in qualitative, clear and stable signal transmissions to and from spacecraft and satellites.
Scientific Instruments
A lot of scientific instruments, such as spectrometers and detectors, which are carried on space missions to gather data about distant celestial objects, planets, and asteroids carry some proportions of gold.
Is Gold Actually Rare?
Many often associate gold to be a rare metal, but it might surprise you to know that gold is actually quite abundant in the Earth's crust. However, the difficulty in extracting it from ores and the even rarer presence of high-quality gold deposits make it valuable. It is one of the few elements that naturally occurs in its pure form. It's often found as nuggets or grains in riverbeds and sediment.
In conclusion I would add, gold's unique combination of properties, including its reflectivity, conductivity, and resistance to corrosion, makes it an efficient material in space exploration. It enables spacecraft to withstand the unfavorably harsh conditions of space and conduct critical research and missions beyond Earth's atmosphere.
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