Amazing Phenomenon in Space: Why is the International Space Station Rusting?

The International Space Station is in the harsh environment of outer space, lacking air and humidity, and theoretically rust should not occur. So what exactly is causing this mysterious corrosion on the International Space Station? Are there unknown chemicals in outer space, or is there a misunderstanding in our understanding of the space environment?

Causes of Rust on the International Space Station: The Effects of Harsh Environments on Metallic Materials

The International Space Station is an important platform for humans to conduct scientific research and experiments in space, but in recent years, some metal materials on the space station have rusted. This phenomenon has attracted people's attention, because in harsh environments, especially in space, the problem of corrosion and rust of metal materials will become more obvious.

 In space, the problem of corrosion and rust will be more obvious. (Illustration: ESA).

Causes of rust

In space, the gas composition is very different from the Earth's atmosphere.  Space lacks oxygen and atmospheric pressure, and there are large amounts of low molecular weight gases such as hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen. These gases can corrode and rust metal materials.

During the launch of a spacecraft, it will encounter strong impacts, high temperatures and vibrations . Under the influence of these external forces, the surface of metal materials can be damaged, causing the metal exposed to the external environment to easily corrode and rust.

There are many tiny meteorites floating in space , when these meteorites hit the metal surface, they can cause small scratches, dents, even very small. At the same time, ultraviolet rays and particles in solar radiation  will also cause oxidation, corrosion of metal materials, accelerating the rusting process of metal.

In space, the gas composition is very different from the Earth's atmosphere. (Illustration: VOX).

Effects of harsh environments on metal materials

Rapid corrosion:  In space, metal materials will corrode much faster than on Earth. This is mainly due to the stronger corrosive effects of gas components and radiation in space on metals. In particular, hydrogen and nitrogen, in space are thinner than the Earth's atmosphere, but their corrosive effects are more severe. Therefore, metal materials are susceptible to rust in space.

Surface changes:  Radiation and high temperatures in space cause chemical reactions on the metal surface to form an oxide layer. This oxide layer not only destroys the appearance of the metal material but also affects its mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. In addition, due to the vacuum environment in space, the oxidation reaction on the metal surface can be more complicated, further aggravating the problem of corrosion and rust of metal materials.

Structural degradation:  Metal materials are vulnerable to impacts from small meteorites in space, and these impacts can cause damage to the metal structure. Once the strength and stability of the metal structure are damaged, it will adversely affect the normal operation of the spacecraft.

Astronauts walking in space. (Illustration: NASA).

Rust Problem on the International Space Station: A Challenge for Space Engineering Design

As a milestone in human space exploration, the International Space Station is a great achievement in aerospace engineering design. However, the recent rust problem on the International Space Station has brought new attention and thinking to everyone.

This issue illustrates the major challenges facing aerospace engineering design, including issues such as material durability, structural safety, maintenance and innovation in special environments.

Material Durability Challenges:  On Earth, our buildings and facilities will face the impact of various weather and external environmental factors, such as climate change, ultraviolet radiation, etc. However, in space, materials face even greater challenges.

Spacecraft are exposed to environmental conditions such as extreme temperature changes, cosmic rays and micrometeorite impacts, etc. These factors will have a certain impact on the performance and durability of materials.  Therefore, space engineering design must select special materials that are adapted to these harsh environments to ensure the long-term stability and safety of the structure.

Spacecraft face environmental conditions that have a certain impact on the performance and durability of materials. (Illustration: Zhihu).

Structural safety challenges:  Structural safety in space engineering is a critical issue. On Earth, the structural strength of buildings is largely determined by gravity, whereas in space, the reduced gravity makes the design and calculation of structures very different from that on Earth.

In addition, the space station needs to face the impact of external forces such as aircraft thrust and air pressure differences, which can pose challenges to the stability and durability of the structure. Therefore, in the space engineering design, these factors must be considered properly to ensure that the structure can withstand various external forces to ensure the safety of personnel.

Maintenance and Update Challenges:  As a long-term space facility, the International Space Station requires regular maintenance and updates. However, the nature of the space environment makes this task extremely difficult.

Spacewalking and carrying equipment is an extremely difficult task for astronauts, coupled with the limitations of the spacecraft itself such as air pressure, temperature changes, etc., making maintenance and updates more complicated. In addition, the application and update of new technology can cause new risks and uncertainties, requiring careful assessment and planning to ensure the stability and security of the entire system.

The International Space Station (ISS) is an important project. (Illustration: Zhihu).

Anti-Corrosion Solutions on the International Space Station: Exploring Protective Coatings and Material Optimization

The International Space Station (ISS) is an important milestone in mankind's space exploration journey, however, like any object on Earth, the ISS also faces the erosion of time and the environment. Among them, the problem of rusting of the space station has always attracted much attention. To solve this problem, scientists have solved the rust problem by exploring protective coating methods and optimizing materials.

Protective coating is one of the important means to solve the problem of rust of the ISS. For any mechanical equipment operating in the space environment, the quality and reliability of the protective coating are very important. In order to effectively prevent rust, scientists continue to research and improve the formula and construction process of protective coating. Among them, an advanced technology called "active coating" is used.

This type of coating can form a protective layer of chemical reaction products on the surface of the conductive coating to prevent the formation of iron oxides, thus playing an anti-oxidation and anti-corrosion role. In addition, scientists have also studied micro-nano coating technology to improve the sealing and anti-corrosion properties of the coating by adding nanoparticles to the coating material. These advanced coating technologies provide reliable protection for the long-term operation of the ISS.

(Illustration: NASA).

While the rust on the International Space Station is a cause for concern, scientists and engineers will continue to work hard to solve the problem.  After all, the International Space Station is an important window for humanity in space, and we should work together to protect it and continue to advance the exploration of space. Only through continuous innovation and research can we better understand the space environment and overcome various challenges and open up broader possibilities for the future of humanity.