Spacecraft Need New Heat Shields. Cue the Cuttlefish?

The video explores the challenges of designing heat shields for spacecraft, focusing on the need for materials that are both strong and lightweight. It highlights the cuttlefish's cuttlebone as a potential inspiration for new heat shield materials due to its unique microstructure. The cuttlebone's wavy walls allow it to absorb energy efficiently, a feature that could be mimicked in ceramic foams to create better heat shields. This innovation could be crucial for future space missions, especially those requiring large, lightweight shields for landing on planets like Mars.

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