Self-healing materials systems as a way for damage mitigation in composites structures caused by orbital space debris

The presence in space of orbital debris, particularly in low earth orbit, presents a continuous hazard to orbiting satellites and spacecrafts. The development of self-healing materials offers the designer an ability to incorporate secondary functional materials capable of counteracting service degradation whilst still achieving the primary, usually structural, requirement. This chapter reviews the various self-healing technologies currently being developed. Self-healing systems can be made from a variety of polymers and metallic materials. An overview of various self-healing concepts over the past two decades is presented. Finally, a perspective on current and future self-healing approaches using this biomimetic technique is offered. The intention is to stimulate debate and reinforce the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in this exciting field.