These high-performance materials, envisioned for use in future space structures, spacecraft, and potential space bases, will be tested on the Bartolomeo platform at the ISS. Over the course of 12 to 18 months, they will orbit Earth at speeds of up to 17,000 mph and complete as many as 9,000 orbits, exposing them to extreme conditions such as temperatures ranging from -150C to +120C, space debris impacts, electromagnetic radiation, high vacuum, and atomic oxygen known for its eroding effects.

Professor Ian Hamerton from the Bristol Composites Institute highlighted the challenges involved: "Space is the most challenging environment for which to design new materials. You're pitting your materials expertise, skills and ingenuity against extremes of temperature, mechanical stress, radiation, high speed impacts and more. Any one of those might be difficult, and, unfortunately, gaining access to repair them is not an easy option, so the materials we build must survive without maintenance. The opportunity to test our materials in the proving ground of space is priceless and will help our University of Bristol scientists on the ground improve fibre-reinforced materials for next-generation space missions."

The set of materials includes four distinct polymers, all enhanced with carbon fibre reinforcements, with two of them further augmented with nanoparticles. One of these polymers is patented by the University of Bristol. If they prove resilient in the demanding space environment, these materials could be pivotal for crafting long-lasting spacecraft capable of extended missions and enhanced durability.

Dr Ali Kandemir, a Senior Research Associate at the university and a participant in an ESA-backed project funded by the UK Space Agency, is focusing on how the materials handle simulated galactic cosmic radiation. "We want materials that are resilient in the space environment and, importantly, materials that can shield humans from that radiation. We also want to make these materials sustainable, so that when they reach the end of their life they can be recycled and used again for the same purpose," Dr Kandemir explained.

Dr Kyungil Kong, another Senior Research Associate involved in the project, reflected on the significance of the launch, "This launch is a significant milestone in space materials research. With the support of the UK Space Agency, high-performance, durable composites have been specifically designed for the extreme conditions of space and this mission will be essential in validating the resilience of these materials. I am celebrating alongside my colleagues who have put so much effort into making this a reality. We're all excited to see how our materials perform in actual space conditions and eager to continue supporting innovations that make long-term space exploration possible."

The launch, conducted by the Space X Dragon CRS-2 spacecraft, marks the culmination of five years of dedicated work by Professor Hamerton and his team, involving postgraduate and early career researchers as well as Aerospace Engineering undergraduates whose final-year projects were integral to the initiative. The project received practical support from the National Composites Centre (NCC), hosted by the University of Bristol.

Prof Kate Robson Brown, Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact at University College Dublin and a collaborator, shared her enthusiasm, "After nearly five years of research to develop novel composite materials for space applications it is very exciting to see our experiment launch to the International Space Station. I am proud to be part of this mission, and to be working with the multidisciplinary and multisector research team to deliver integrated real world and digital testing for innovative materials which will help to drive growth in the new space economy. This mission also demonstrates how space research funding creates career changing opportunities for early career researchers and PhD students in a sector of huge value to both Ireland and the UK."

Funding and support for this mission came from the European Space Agency, the UK Space Agency, Oxford Space Systems, and other contributors.

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