Space projects

• Electron beam welding for safety-critical space applications
• Friction stir welded low-cost titanium propellant tank
• Friction stir welding of titanium silicon carbide composites for xenon tanks applications

We recently completed this project investigating joining methods for demisable propellant tanks:

• Friction stir welding of aluminium–lithium alloys 

Other projects in which TWI’s expertise has contributed to space exploration include the following:

• Welding in space – who needs gravity?
• European Space Agency receives TWI support
• Cassini space probe to Titan
• Friction stir welding journeys into space
• Space shuttle technology transferred to power generation industry
• Space technology uses friction stir
• Life on Mars ... spacecraft test with Red Planet 'dust'
• $8M saved following Abington consultation