Scientists from Surrey NanoSystems have successfully created the blackest black ever. The new paint, called Vantablack, is capable of eliminating light pollution in sensitive space equipment, such as telescopes and cryogenic chambers. Here’s how the blackest black could help astronomers better understand and explore the universe.
Light Pollution from Satellites and Space Debris
Have you noticed that it has become much harder to observe the night sky in your area? Many factors could be contributing to this scenario, including light pollution. When you think of light pollution, you may consider light created by the cities and other earthly items as the main culprit.
However, satellite light pollution is a major issue that continues to cause astronomers headaches. Satellites can leave streaks and other light pollution on high-end telescope images. Since these devices cost millions, astronomers need some way to combat this situation.
Source – Vantablack
Sadly, satellite launches have been on the rise with more units delivered to space in the last five years than over all of time. Today, satellites play a vital role in everything from your daily travels to entertainment and defence.
This dependency on space-borne technology will only increase in the coming years, leading analysts to predict that the light pollution problem will worsen, restricting the returns achieved from high-end telescope projects like the James Webb or Vera Rubin telescope. Both of which cost taxpayers millions to put into orbit. Sadly, some reports claim as much as 40% of the image will contain light pollution.
Using Black Paint to Absorb Light Pollution
While there have been many sciences employed to attempt to reduce the effects of light pollution on these devices, the most effective has turned out to be special black paint designed to absorb light waves.
Companies like SpaceX have experimented with dark paint as a way to prevent light pollution problems with limited success. The main problem with the SpaceX attempt was that it began to overheat due to all the added light radiation it absorbed.
Surrey NanoSystems in the UK has been pivotal in boosting the effectiveness of black paint. Their previous work helped to demonstrate the effectiveness of super black paint to reduce light pollution.
The main drawback with this product at the time was that it couldn’t be handled without damaging the carbon nanotube surface. Recognizing the need to continue their research, the team has made some adjustments to improve their results.
Vantablack Study
Surrey NanoSystems engineers developed the carbon nanotube coating Vantablack to reduce light pollution within cryogenic chambers. These chambers are ideal for testing items that will operate in deep space.
They enable engineers to identify any potential problems before the components are sent millions of miles away into space, where their failure could jeopardize the entire mission. The Vantablack coating utilizes carbon nanotubes to achieve light suppression at -269°C in a Fourier transform spectroscopy module.
The engineers also released the Vantablack 310 paint. This coating is a blacker-than-black space paint that improves on previous designs in a couple of key ways. It has been described as “soot-like” due to its thick nature. Keenly, this coating integrates special binders that enable it to be much more rugged and durable than its predecessor.
Simulating Deep Space with Vantablack 310
To test Vantablack 310, the engineers created a special chamber that was able to simulate orbits. The team simulated three years in deep space using a cryogenic chamber. During the testing phase, the engineers documented any photon leakage.
The scientist utilized cryogenic far-infrared (FIR) Fourier transform spectroscopy scan mechanism (FTSM) to ensure their measurements were hyper-sensitive and could catch even the slightest amount of light pollution. Notably, the testing was done at the Canadian Space Agency and the University of Lethbridge.
How Vantablack 310 Performed in Cryogenic Tests
The Vantablack space paint test results demonstrated monumental gains over previous versions. When measuring the magnitude (luminosity of astronomical objects), Vantablack absorbed 98% of light across the entire spectrum. This represents a significant improvement over prior coatings, which typically absorbed around 95% of light.
The results showed that Vantablack absorbs light from all angles of incidence, furthering its capabilities. Additionally, the paint was designed from day one to be environmentally friendly, allowing it to meet future carbon goals.
The test result also showed that the Vantablack 310 was more durable than competitors. This coating can be handled and easily applied to satellites and other space equipment. This added resilience makes it more cost-effective and improves the paint’s ability to withstand the intense environments found in deep space.
Vantablack Benefits
There are many benefits that make Vantablack a win for the market. For one, it will help to make satellites invisible to the naked eye and high-end telescope imaging. This accomplishment will enable astronomers to get the most out of the latest state-of-the-art equipment, opening the door for future discoveries.
Vantablack Delivers the Enhanced Optical Performance
One of the main benefits of Vantablack is that it can improve the optical performance of telescopes and other space equipment. These highly sensitive astronomical measurement devices can cost billions, are expensive to launch, and are critical to scientific efforts. Consequently, anything that boosts their performance is critical to success.
Resistant to Temperature Changes
To operate in space, a device needs to be able to seamlessly go from below freezing to intense heat. As satellites orbit, they can often have one side facing the sun and the other side facing extreme cold for years. Vantablack can handle these conditions, making it the ideal solution for future spacecraft.
Vantablack Reduces Manufacturing Costs
The added resilience that Vantablack 310 brings to the market is a game changer. This material can be applied to satellites by manufacturers in-house, reducing costs, shipping delays, and speeding up the entire assembly process. Additionally, the durable coating is far less complex than alternative measures that seek to reduce light pollution.
Vantablack Researchers
The blacker than black paint study is a joint venture between Surrey NanoSystems and the University of Surrey. Notably, the company is a spin-off of the University that was created to gain funding for further research into blacker than black coatings. Since its launch, the project has secured a reputation for innovation and helped to pioneer aerospace coating, space optics, and more.
Vantablack Applications
There are many applications for Vantablack across the aerospace, military, and scientific research sectors. The ability to eliminate light pollution is a major plus that will help to make sensors more accurate and easier to build. Here are some potential applications for Vantablack.
Telescope Coating
Vantablack is destined to help improve astronomers’ optics. This coating will be used to reduce satellite streaming and other forms of light pollution from ultra-high-end devices. Many of these satellite telescopes will be located in orbit, where Vantablack’s added durability should extend their life span and improve accuracy.
Cryogenic Chambers
The use of cryogenic chambers is on the rise. These devices are used to keep items below freezing temperatures, such as in quantum computers. In some instances, cryogenics are used to simulate deep space where light radiation is minimal.
The engineers noted that applying Vantablack S-IR to internal optical surfaces boosted the performance of cryogenic devices, including laser-based cryogenic FIR FTSM position feedback modules.
Vantablack Future
The future of Vantablack looks promising. The company’s latest iteration, Vantablack 310, will be sent into space on the student satellite Jovian 1, where it will serve as a coating for the deployable solar panel.
Notably, this low Earth satellite will be tracked by a laser that will monitor the reflectivity and performance of the coating as it follows its orbit. The scientist will use this data to further improve their Vantablack line.
Investing in Aerospace Coatings
The aerospace coating sector is a crucial component in today’s technology. These companies push the boundaries of material science, discovering new combinations of materials that possess unique capabilities, making them ideal for tasks such as deep space exploration. Here’s one company that has secured a reputation for innovation in the aerospace coatings market.
Howmet Aerospace (HWM -0.19%) entered the market in 1926 under the name Austenal with a completely different focus. At that time, the company offered dental products. However, that changed following WWI, during this time, the company ventured into making aircraft engine superchargers.
In 1965, following numerous acquisitions and a new headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA, the firm changed its name to Howmet and its focus towards precision metal products. Currently, Hemet Aerospace offers many critical components and coatings to the market.
Howmet Aerospace Inc. (HWM -0.19%)
Howmet Aerospace has strong strategic partnerships with firms like Lockheed Martin, where it supplies crucial components for fighter jets. The company’s operations have expanded alongside its offerings. Today, the company has offices and clientele across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia.
Latest Howmet Aerospace Inc. (HWM) Stock News and Developments
Vantablack – Erasing Light Pollution from the Sky
Vantablack and its variants open the door to more effective astronomy. The coating utilizes technology to help absorb the majority of light radiation that hits it without generating massive amounts of heat. This capability makes it the ideal choice for future space operations. As such, you could see Vantablack on everything from the inside of spacecraft to the screen on your next EV.
Learn about other cool space breakthroughs here.