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VIDEO

VIDEO

Blacker than Black

Blacker than Black

Tiny carbon nanotubes are making a big difference to NASA satellites.

Grades

5 - 12+

Subjects

Earth Science, Astronomy, Engineering

Scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center are testing nanotechnology to use on spacecraft. Nanotechnology is the development of devices on a scale of individual atoms and molecules.

The specific goal of this team at the Goddard Space Flight Center is to use nanotechnology to reduce reflection off the surface of satellites, so that the data they collect are not "polluted" by scattered light. The carbon nanotubes that the team grows have proven to be 10 times better than NASA Z306 paint, currently used on spacecraft instruments.

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Videographer
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Producer
National Geographic Society
other
Last Updated

April 4, 2024

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