Self-healing polymers for space: A study on autonomous repair performance and response to space radiation

One of the main challenges of space exploration is to properly protect astronauts from the hazards of the space environment. Space suits were hence created to protect crewmembers during extravehicular activities, but they are currently unable to properly withstand damage after, for example, impacts with micrometeoroids and orbital debris (MMOD), and they would depressurize and collapse if punctured, with catastrophic consequences. In this context, the possibility of integrating self-healing materials into spacesuits has drawn the attention of the scientific community, as it would lead to autonomous damage restoration and subsequently increased safety and operational life. Nevertheless, the effects of space environment on these materials are still to be determined and could lead to a significant decrease of their overall performance.