The objective of this book is to assist scientists and engineers select the ideal material or manufacturing process for particular applications; these could cover a wide range of fields, from light-weight structures to electronic hardware. The book will help in problem solving as it also presents more than 100 case studies and failure investigations from the space sector that can, by analogy, be applied to other industries. Difficult-to-find material data is included for reference. The sciences of metallic (primarily) and organic materials presented throughout the book demonstrate how they can be applied as an integral part of spacecraft product assurance schemes, which involve quality, material and processes evaluations, and the selection of mechanical and component parts. In this successor edition, which has been revised and updated, engineering problems associated with critical spacecraft hardware and the space environment are highlighted by over 500 illustrations including micrographs and fractographs. Space hardware captured by astronauts and returned to Earth from long durations in space are examined. Information detailed in the Handbook is applicable to general terrestrial applications including consumer electronics as well as high reliability systems associated with aeronautics, medical equipment and ground transportation. This Handbook is also directed to those involved in maximizing the relia bility of new materials and processes for space technology and space engineering. It will be invaluable to engineers concerned with the construction of advanced structures or mechanical and electronic sub-systems.

There has been considerable interest recently in microgravity physics and the effects of gravitation on crystal growth, alloy solidification, and other processes in space manufacturing. Regel' [1] has provided an extensive but not exhaustive bibliography on micro gravity physics and materials science in space, in which the major aspects are discussed along with the state of the art and future research prospects. The literature survey in [1] covered a period of about 10 years, including some publications appearing in 1983 that reflected not only theoretical and experi mental studies completed by 1983 but also a list of experiments to be carried out in the next few years. In particular, the closing part of the survey [1] enumerated ex periments planned under the Intercosmos program and by the European Space Agency (ESA) for the flight of Spacelab-l and D-l in 1985 and under the Eureka programs. Some of the space experiments planned in 1983 have now been com pleted, and the results have been published. It is therefore desirable to survey again research on materials science in space for the last few years and extend the literature survey begun in [1]. The literature listing on materials science in space begun in [1] is supplemented (there were 1061 citations in [1]) by recent publications (beginning with 1982).

MPS [Materials Processing in Space] might better be described as materials science and engineering using low gravity. The primary motivation of the program is to use the unique environments of space for scientific and commercial applications. To promote the potential commercial applications of low-g technology the program is structures to analyze the scientific principles of gravitational effects on processes used in the production of common materials, to apply the research toward the technology to control production processes, and to establish the legal and managerial framework for commercial ventures.

The peaceful use of space flight systems for research and technological devel opments in the context of promoting European and international cooperation represents the essential motivation for the programmes of the European Space Agency (ESA). One of ESA's programmes is dedicated to microgravity research, which is now an established discipline in Europe, with a dedicated group of scientists participating. The Challenger disaster has resulted in a serious dis continuity of flight opportunities in the next few years but the forthcoming International Space Station, new launchers and reentry vehicles are expected to provide ample opportunities for microgravity research in the long term. Meanwhile parabolic aircraft flights, sounding rockets as well as the delayed Shuttle-dependent missions, Spacelab D-2, the IML-missions and EURECA I, will be employed to keep microgravity experimenters reasonably busy in the interim period. To prepare the ground for these activities, both regarding research and experiment facilities, an in-depth analysis of the state of the art is an essential requirement at this time. Such an analysis is presented in this volume. It ad dresses all of the topics that have been identified to be of relevance. Besides a presentation of the fundamental aspects justifying microgravity research, the results of experiments already performed are reviewed and recommendations for future activities are made. Close to fifty European scientists have cooper ated in the preparation of this volume and their dedicated and concerted effort is greatly appreciated.

The challenges of space exploration are a great stimulus to our technologies today. Development of successful aerospace programs has required the best efforts of the scientist and engineer in almost every discipline. Not so long ago, it truly could be said that designers are trying to develop tomorrow's vehicles with yesterday's materials. Unfortunately, we find that the situation remains nearly the same today. The purpose of this conference was to identify materials, proces ses, and methods that show the greatest potential in future space technology and to define the gap between mission requirements and materials application. Of the many properties of materials, the one in which the largest gap between fundamental understanding and practical application appears to exist is the mechanical property, particularly of crystalline materials. The emphasis on crystalline materials is a natural one. It is these materials which are used primarily when demands are placed on mechanical strength, especially at elevated temperatures. The advent of space exploration requires the utilization of materials in environments and under conditions that are a challenge to the resourcefulness and ingenuity of the scientist and engineer. The scientist can, as a result of the past thirty years' work, relate mechanical properties to the formation, motion, and interaction of individual crystalline defects, such as vacancies, interstitials, and dislocations. Furthermore, he can, by controlled preparation of his materials, confine his studies to those cases in which the concentration of crystal defects is conveniently low.