End of life emissions of composite materials upon re-entry

Problem Definition: CFRP structures are widely used in space applications and increasingly in upper stages as they provide stiff and light-weight solutions. However, their behaviour during re-entry is still not fully mastered, depending on the cases, they should demise sufficiently to avoid harmful uncontrolled large debris, or they should thermally resist the re-entry conditions for reusability, with the presence of thermal pro-tections, which will damage during re-entry as a consumable. The impact of resulting emissions on the atmosphere is still not understood and there are no tools that can predict with sufficient precision the environmental impact of composite materials in these applications.
Research Objectives:

End-of-life impact analysis upon atmospheric re-entry of composite structures, with current materials as benchmark, and novel demisable (or not) concepts, with the aim to propose alternative solutions that reduce the potential for earth reaching debris, while minimizing the overall environmental impact (on the earth atmosphere, and overall, during the life of the launcher)

Expected Results:

Assessing the demisability behaviour based on experimental results of simulated re-entry testing of several composite materials compositions and microstructure
Contribution to the modelling of demisability of composites (based on thermal/mechanical behaviour)
Chemical analysis of the degraded composites and residues
Life cycle analysis (with focus on End of life scenarios) of the various composite solutions for the case study of a launcher
proposition of optimised solutions, combining the required mechanical properties, structural requirements while presenting a minimal environmental impact following a practical case study proposed by AGG

Secondments:

University of Stuttgart (US, Stuttgart, Germany, ca. 5 months): demisability analysis
Ariane Group GmbH (AGG, Bremen, Germany, ca. 3 months): case study analysis

Benefits:

You will be working within our international group of > 30 researchers with experience in a broad range of sciences.
You will get in contact with the other members of this international consortium.
You will benefit from the well-structured training program offered by the host institution and the SLICE consortium to develop skills and thorough understanding of space transportation systems and their environmental impact.
You will be employed by the host organization for 36 months.
You will participate in international conferences and secondments to other organisations within the SLICE network and in outreach activities targeted at a wide audience.
A competitive salary according to MSCA regulations (see page 118ff, https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2023-2024/wp-2-msca-actions_horizon-2023-2024_en.pdf ), including a living allowance, a mobility allowance and, if eligible, a family allowance. The stated allowances represent the gross funding amounts. Employer contributions to social security, health insurance, and other statutory costs will be deducted in accordance with the applicable national regulations.



Please find additional information in the Information package for Marie Curie fellows in doctoral networks (https://op.europa.eu/s/z831).