Elon Musk’s vision of colonizing Mars has been more publicized than ever. Whether you agree with his dream or not, he must rely on incredible machines and equipment to get us there. However, there are unique and significant challenges to maintaining this machinery in space, along with the critical importance of keeping it running smoothly and flawlessly. 

While we may feel that Earth has some harsh environments, the environmental aspect of space is a whole different ballgame. Extreme temperature fluctuations, from scorching sunlight to freezing shadows, can cause equipment to expand and contract, leading to cracks, warping, or outright failure. Radiation damages electronics, and because of the vacuum of space, micrometeoroids and orbital debris can impact and physically damage spacecraft. The severity is so intense that it would be like driving a car through a desert, a blizzard, and a hailstorm simultaneously. 

Even a minor malfunction in space can have catastrophic consequences. Unlike Earth, there’s no “roadside assistance” or an easy way to get a repair crew out to a spacecraft. Once one part fails, it can lead to a domino effect that compromises the entire mission or the mission of other satellites within space. Severe equipment failures (such as the loss of a satellite), failure of a scientific experiment, or, in the most extreme cases, the loss of a crew, are just a few of the consequences that arise from issues that are very difficult to manage beyond the stratosphere. 

Thankfully, there are technologies and strategies used to address these challenges. Having a backup system for every critical component is the first step to ensuring that if something goes down, you’re “backup” and running! New research has been developed on “self-healing” materials, essentially items that can repair themselves. Robotic arms and rovers can remotely inspect and perform on-site repairs, while data and sensors are used to predict when a part might fail, allowing for proactive measures. 

While these challenges may seem intense, they’re very much worth tackling, as every day, we’re paving the way for a sustained human presence in space. The engineering behind space exploration is nothing short of incredible, and Industrial Repair Service is here when your critical components, such as HMIs, VFDs, and more, fall short. Call us today!