Accurate and timely locating of cracks, delamination and other damages in spacecraft structures is necessary for high reliability and long lifespan of the spacecraft. Composite structural health monitoring (SHM) is a revolutionary technology to ensure the completeness of composite structures. SHM plays an important role in the processes of designing, processing and maintaining spacecraft structures. Meanwhile, SHM contributes to the improvement of safety and reduction of cost. This paper first briefly introduces domestic and overseas advances in the spacecraft SHM, and then describes the problems encountered in the application of SHM for spacecraft.

spacecraft structure  /  composite materials  /  composite structure damage  /  health monitoring