| Gold is a precious metal not only because it is | | | | highly desirable. It is the attribute of gold to reflect |
| rare and beautiful, but because it is highly useful | | | | heat which helps to keep the damaging heat from |
| for a wide range of applications. Its reflectivity, | | | | engines, thrusters or the Sun from causing harm |
| malleability, ductility and ability to resist corrosion | | | | to astronauts or the equipment used on a |
| are all qualities that are so helpful to the space | | | | spacecraft. |
| program that modern-day space exploration | | | | Gold is Able to Reflect Visible Light |
| would be impossible without this unique element. | | | | In addition to being able to reflect heat (infrared |
| Gold is Resistant to Corrosion | | | | light), gold is able to reflect the visible light |
| Gold is one of the most inert (Unreactive) metals. | | | | spectrum. The face shields on the helmets of the |
| It does not corrode or break down as many | | | | astronauts contain a thin layer of gold that helps |
| other metals do. Because space is an extremely | | | | to reduce glare and protect their eyes from |
| harsh environment, in which even a small problem | | | | harmful radiation. |
| can result in a major disaster, objects made of | | | | Gold is the Most Malleable and Ductile of All Metals |
| gold or covered in gold are protected from | | | | Ductility and malleability of gold, the ability to be |
| corrosion and, therefore, have a much better | | | | drawn into thin wires without snapping and to be |
| chance of working as they are supposed to. | | | | pounded into thin sheets without breaking allows |
| Gold is a Stable Lubricant | | | | engineers of space equipment to mould gold to |
| Moving parts in machines need lubricants to | | | | almost any shape necessary, and make it thin |
| reduce friction in many environments on a | | | | enough to keep the weight of the equipment low. |
| spacecraft. In the severe conditions of space, | | | | Gold is an excellent conductor of electricity |
| most lubricants that are used on Earth would be | | | | In a spaceship, almost everything is computer |
| broken down by the bombardment of radioactive | | | | controlled, and within those computers are |
| particles. Due to the physical characteristics, gold | | | | hundreds of thousands of electronic parts |
| molecules are able to easily slip past each other in | | | | combined on circuit boards that are gold lined. A |
| high-friction environments, and because they are | | | | small connecting pathway on a circuit can get |
| unaffected by radiation, gold is often the lubricant | | | | burnt if made with ordinary metals, but it is gold |
| of choice on a spacecraft. | | | | that gives it the ability to withstand heat and |
| Gold is Able to Reflect Heat | | | | provide the electric current optimum flow paths. |
| Today, many modern buildings use a thin film of | | | | All connectors that link up all computers and |
| gold in their windows to protect interiors from | | | | communications equipment on board space ships |
| becoming overheated. In fact, it is the material of | | | | are gold plated for optimum interfacing at all times |
| choice for all applications where solar reflectivity is | | | | while providing positive contact. |