Recently in the aerospace world, things have been changing quite rapidly. There used to be only two players in the aerospace game: NASA and the Russians.Today NASA has competitors in the new space-race. Elon Musk wants to go to space. So does Richard Branson. So do other billionaires. Private rockets are being launched and recovered. Private companies have been launching satellites for decades now. Space is getting crowded. One thing all of these space programs have in common though is aerospace gold.

Aerospace Gold: What Is It?

Gold is an atomic element. Gold is element number 79 on the Periodic Table of Elements. Scientists and chemistry students know what I mean. Gold is not a rock. Gold cannot be made by mixing other things together. Gold is a basic building block of Earth. Because of this gold has certain chemical properties and certain physical attributes that are unique to gold.

A Gold Coin Struck With The Atomic Symbol And Scientific Information Of Gold.

Just as gold has certain jobs here on Earth, it turns out that gold has certain jobs in space that only gold can do. Gold that is consumed by the aerospace industry and especially gold that ends up in outer space can be called aerospace gold.

Aerospace Gold: Why Use It?

Gold reflects radiation, and in outer space, there is a lot of radiation. Because there is no gas or atmosphere in outer space, radiation from our sun and other stars is not blocked or absorbed. Human beings and the electronics they create are prone to damage from radiation.

Gold Is Used In Aerospace To Reflect Radiation And Infrared Energy.

Perhaps a quick explanation of radiation is in order. Radiation is the emission of either waves or particles of energy that travel through space. Oftentimes these waves or particles are capable of passing right through an object or human. When they pass through, however, they leave damage on the cellular level in humans and cause machinery and electronics to age and disintegrate quickly. On Earth, our atmosphere protects us from most radiation. If you stay outside too long and absorb too much radiation you call it a “sunburn”.

Aerospace gold is a high-tech sunblock for astronauts and their equipment. The NASA astronauts had a thin film of gold on their helmets and visors to protect their eyes and faces from solar radiation. Perhaps without aerospace gold, we would have ended up with astronauts that returned blind or going blind.

NASA Uses Aerospace Gold To Protect Astronauts From Radiation.

Aerospace gold also protects space vehicles and the like. A polyester film is coated with gold particles, and this film is then used on the exterior of spacecraft to reflect solar radiation away from the craft and any humans inside of the craft. If it were not for this aerospace gold film, the solar radiation in space might literally cook an astronaut inside of a spacecraft. In space gold has many important uses.

Another Use For Aerospace Gold: Lubrication.

Space is a strange place. There is a vacuum in space. There is no air pressure in space. There is no gravity in space. These factors all collide and make many of the chemicals and products that we use on Earth useless in space. Extreme cold and heat in space can also make engineering satellites and spacecraft much more difficult. Aerospace gold likes outer space. Aerospace gold does not need gravity or air pressure in order to work, and aerospace gold likes cold and hot just fine.

NASA Uses Aerospace Gold To Build Mirrors.

Because of these reasons, moving parts and mechanical joints of sorts of often coated with aerospace gold. The physical nature of gold lets it rub against itself rather easily without causing excessive wear. Where oil or grease might simply vaporize or freeze in outer-space, gold just keeps on slipping, sliding and protecting.

When you factor in the enormous cost of building a manned spacecraft or even a satellite, reliability and longevity become very key. Spacecraft need to last and be safe in order to complete the mission. Satellites need to last and work in order to be profitable. Aerospace gold provides both protection from radiation, as well as a surface that does not corrode or break down. After all, if you were an astronaut in outer space, would you want to be inside of a spacecraft that was corroding and falling apart? Probably not.

Aerospace Gold Is Just One Type Of Gold.

In addition to aerospace gold, in the United States, we have gold bullion and rare gold coins. While the gold in each is similar, these types of gold perform differing functions inside of your financial portfolio, just as gold in space performs differing functions. To discuss in detail how gold can offer you protection from financial corrosion and decimation, please speak with an ITM Trading representative.

Voyager Golden Record – The Sounds Of Earth.

NASA placed this golden record on the Voyager spacecraft. Voyager recently left Earth’s solar system.