Carbon nanotube polymer composites for microwave electronics package assembly of space payload: advantages and challenges

Electrical systems of the interconnected packages of space payload depend on the performance of microwave electronics packages (MEP), consisting of Kovar carrier plates (CPs). The indigenous development of CFRP-based MEP and CPs are a possible replacement to reduce the mass by six times. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be added to the polymer, resulting in the improvement of thermal and electrical parameters. It is advantageous to use CNT CFRP composite MEP for interplanetary space missions where the mass is critical design criteria without degrading the performance of the payload. There are some challenges to study before the fabrication of composite and identify the effect of CNT content on the composite's properties. This paper also highlights space qualification process required for validation of the microwave electronics package for space payloads. The CNT-CFRP composite package can save a mass 62% than traditional space qualified material.