ELECTRON-BEAM GUN FOR MANUAL ELECTRON-BEAM WELDING IN LUNAR SURFACE CONDITIONS

Abstract

In recent years, increasing attention in space topics has been paid to the exploration of the Moon. Not the least attention is paid to solving problems related to providing the necessary living conditions for astronauts, with the construction and assembly of a large number of technical devices and structures on site. The operation and development of orbital complexes, as well as the promising tasks of creating structures on the lunar and Martian surfaces, involve the introduction of technologies for the installation and repair of space objects. When working in open space, there are a large number of operations (first of all, repair and restoration or fixation of fragments of large-sized structures), for which it is difficult and impossible to prepare in advance. In addition, there is a possibility of emergencies that require urgent cutting, welding, or soldering technological operations, in which the process and volume of the operation will be determined by the cosmonaut directly on the spot, where he will be able to assess the volume and method of performing the necessary work. Therefore, the creation of modern electron-beam equipment for manual welding, which will contribute to the extension of the life of space objects and sometimes to the preservation of the lives of crews, is necessary. This equipment must be compact and efficiently perform operations on electron beam welding and related technologies under lunar surface conditions. The results of manual electron beam welding experiments carried out in open space indicate that the equipment, which was created earlier, makes it possible to weld stainless steels, titanium and aluminum alloys up to 1.5 mm thick. At the same time, the thickness of the material used in the manufacture of shells of manned space vehicles reaches 4...6 mm, and the length of welding seams can reach several meters. The purpose of this work is to create a new generation of equipment that will solve the problem of welding materials from 4 to 6 mm, which are mainly used in modern aerospace technology.