The utilization of Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors in innovative optical sensor networks has displayed remarkable potential in providing precise and dependable thermal measurements in hostile environments on Earth. Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) blankets serve as critical components of spacecraft and are employed to regulate the temperature of sensitive components by reflecting or absorbing thermal radiation. To enable accurate and continuous monitoring of temperature along the length of the insulative barrier without compromising its flexibility and low weight, FBG sensors can be embedded within the thermal blanket, thereby enabling distributed temperature sensing. This capability can aid in optimizing the thermal regulation of the spacecraft and ensuring the reliable and safe operation of vital components. Furthermore, FBG sensors offer sev eral advantages over traditional temperature sensors, including high sensitivity, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and the ability to operate in harsh environments. These properties make FBG sensors an excellent option for thermal blankets in space applications, where precise temperature regulation is crucial for mission success. Nevertheless, the calibration of temperature sensors in vacuum conditions poses a significant challenge due to the lack of an appropriate calibration reference. Therefore, this paper aimed to investigate innovative solutions for calibrating temperature sensors in vacuum conditions. The proposed solutions have the potential to enhance the accuracy and reliability of temperature measurements in space applications, which can enable engineers to develop more resilient and dependable spacecraft systems.

The utilization of Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors in innovative optical sensor networks has displayed remarkable potential in providing precise and dependable thermal measurements in hostile environments on Earth. Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) blankets serve as critical components of spacecraft and are employed to regulate the temperature of sensitive components by reflecting or absorbing thermal radiation. To enable accurate and continuous monitoring of temperature along the length of the insulative barrier without compromising its flexibility and lightweight, FBG sensors can be embedded within the thermal blanket, thereby enabling distributed temperature sensing. This capability can aid in optimizing the thermal regulation of the spacecraft and ensuring the reliable and safe operation of vital components. Furthermore, FBG sensors offer several advantages over traditional temperature sensors, including high sensitivity, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and the ability to operate in harsh environments. These properties make FBG sensors an excellent option for thermal blankets in space applications, where precise temperature regulation is crucial for mission success. Nevertheless, the calibration of temperature sensors in vacuum conditions poses a significant challenge due to the lack of an appropriate calibration reference. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate innovative solutions for calibrating temperature sensors in vacuum conditions. The proposed solutions have the potential to enhance the accuracy and reliability of temperature measurements in space applications, which can enable engineers to develop more resilient and dependable spacecraft systems.

The application of electromechanical actuators (EMAs) is experiencing significant growth across various industrial sectors, including the aerospace industry. This shift involves a transition from hydraulic to electric actuation, which promises to reduce the overall weight of aircraft while increasing system efficiency. However, the use of EMAs is currently limited to non-safety-critical functions due to the still limited understanding of their behavior. Accurate mathematical models are essential for analyzing their operation and interaction within complex systems. This study aims to present a methodology for simulating the behavior of motion transmission components under loads in static conditions. To achieve this, experimental data were collected from an existing test bench designed to enhance the elastoplastic effects within the motion transmission system. Preliminary analysis of these data enabled modifications to the model’s architecture to incorporate the compliance of the mechanical line. Subsequent fine-tuning of the parameters improved the correspondence with the real system’s response. The results indicate that the refined model could accurately simulate the behavior of electromechanical actuators under the specified conditions, providing a valuable tool for the design and optimization of these systems in industrial applications. Future work will focus on extending this methodology to dynamic conditions and validating the model against a wider range of operational scenarios.

The technologies grouped under the term Extended Reality (XR) are constantly evolving. Only fifty years ago, they were delegated to the science fiction strand and were not feasible except in the distant future; today, they are successfully used for personnel training, diagnostic maintenance, education, and more. This article focuses on one such technology: Augmented Reality (AR). In particular, it aims to present an improvement of a software created to monitor the values of Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors for aeronautical applications. The ability to overlay the status of various network-connected smart elements allows the operator to evaluate actual conditions in a highly intuitive and seamless manner, thus accelerating various activities. It was evaluated in a controlled environment to perform strain and temperature measurements of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), where it demonstrated its usefulness.