Thermal Management

The commercial space industry has taken off in recent years with a surge in launches and exponential growth, creating a need for increased thermal protection systems. This article explores aerobraking as one approach to thermal management for spacecrafts.

Aerogels sit in a crossover between cell-level protection materials, and pack-level protection materials. This article explores how aerogels can perform excellently as both insulators and fire protection materials and are becoming increasingly common in electric vehicles.

Webinar: The Growing Role of Gas Sensors in Battery Pack Systems Date: Thursday 10 July Presenter: Daniel Parr, Technology Analyst, IDTechEx

A German start-up has completed a test of an inflatable heat shield, the first European and first private such operation. Inflatable heat shields represent the cutting edge of thermal protection systems, potentially holding the key to truly low-cost and democratized access to space. What does this test mean for the industry?

Tuesday 13 May 2025 - Are Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) Ready for Large Scale Commercialization?; An overview of emerging MOF-based technologies approaching commercialization; Material choices and considerations for MOFs in key applications, such as carbon capture and water harvesting; Scaling MOF production for industrial applications; Market status and outlook for MOF demand based on IDTechEx forecasts

The multitude of battery chemistries available for different EV types means that a variety of safety materials to accommodate their requirements are also necessary. IDTechEx's VP of Research, Dr James Edmondson, presented at the Plastics in Electric & Autonomous Vehicles Conference 2025 - SPE Automotive Division on topics including evolving vehicle technology and materials, while Technology Analyst, Mika Takahashi, covered the wider EV sector.

In April 2025, it was announced that China's GB 38031-2025 would be mandated by July 2026 for new vehicles. This 2025 update goes well beyond the previous one with the requirement for no fire or explosion for 2 hours after the initial event.

Thursday 8 May 2025 - Surviving the Heat, Heat Shields for Atmospheric Re-Entry in an Increasingly Commercial Space Industry; Outline the role and function of TPS; Delineate the key categories of TPS, from tile-based systems to ablators and hypersonic expandable decelerators; Examine the key requirements of TPS, from a technical and economic perspective, as well as emerging use-cases; Give a brief outlook for the market over the next decade

Fire safety continues to be a key topic for electric vehicles (EVs) as the market continues to grow. In this article, IDTechEx discusses the different types of EV battery chemistry and its impact on thermal runaway safety.

The space economy is growing rapidly, driven by commercial operations with lower costs. Thermal protection systems enable spacecraft to endure the extreme environments of atmospheric entry, but how will developments in this industry impact the broader space economy?