While most are probably familiar with cannabis for its psychoactive elements, its potential beyond CBD products and Delta-9 THC drinks is often overlooked.
Industrial hemp, a variety of cannabis sativa, has attracted the interest of researchers around the world for its potential as a sustainable material in aerospace engineering.
Material science researchers have been drawn to hemp because of its exceptionally high tensile strength and stiffness, comparable to fiberglass. Beyond its strength-to-weight ratio, hemp fiber composites have the additional environmental benefits of being renewable, biodegradable, and requiring low processing energy.
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Even more, researchers have been looking into hemp because of its potential radiation shielding properties. Hydrogen-rich materials are known to be effective at absorbing cosmic radiation, and hemp’s cellulose structure has a lot of hydrogen.
A study presented at the “Shell and Spatial Structures” conference explored adding hemp fibers into simulated Mars regolith to create a durable “hempcrete” for building habitats in space. The researchers found that incorporating hemp fiber significantly improved the regolith concrete’s thermo-mechanical properties, enhancing its strength and insulation. These preliminary results suggest that hemp-reinforced composites could be a promising construction material for future Mars or moon bases, aligning with resource utilization and sustainability goals.
Beyond space construction, the European Space Agency (ESA), in collaboration with Côte D’Azur University, is also researching using 100 percent bio-sourced composites for their spacecrafts. One aspect of their research focuses on using hemp fibers, among other plant fibers, in space-grade composites to eliminate the current petroleum-based components, which are neither renewable nor recyclable. Currently, their research is testing these hemp fibers to see if they can withstand the hard elements of space, like radiation, vacuums, and extreme temperatures. Early results of the ESA’s tests indicate promise that fully bio-derived composites can meet spaceflight requirements.
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Furthermore, the Linnaeus Hemp Competence Centre, which is a collaboration of researchers across Europe, Costa Rica, and Asia, is focused on hemp-based aerospace components. They are examining the use of hemp in spacecraft insulation, as well as composite materials for satellite or probe parts. Not only are they looking at leveraging hemp material to replace fossil-based materials, but they are also studying hemp genetics to see if breeding specific hemp varieties can increase durability and space radiation endurance.
While the research and potential applications are still emerging, the trajectory of hemp-based materials, which are potentially both stronger and more sustainable, is clear. Hemp-based materials are transitioning to become a serious consideration in the space sector, poised to be used beyond Earth.