Plastics and Space Exploration

The plastic age seems to have coincided with the new space age. While we seek to redefine the role of plastic in global society, in this chapter we review how human’s century-old affair with plastic has already extended far beyond the globe into space. From spacesuits to parachutes and several parts of the spacecraft, plastics are used extensively in space missions. The significance of plastics therefore extends to the significance of space exploration to humanity. With the increased frequency of space missions in recent years by both private and public organizations, a new niche is expected to emerge for space plastics. This chapter reviews the different aspects of plastics used in space exploration toward a more sustainable path for the plastic industry in the new space age.