Ionic Liquids in Space Technology - Current and Future Trends

The space technology industry has been at the forefront of technological innovation since the late 1950s. In recent years, ionic liquids (ILs) have gained increasing attention in a wide range of space-related applications, due to their advantageous properties such as non-volatility and wide liquid temperature range. In particular, the ability to design ILs with optimal physical and chemical properties for a given application has allowed them to be employed in a wide range of studies. In this review paper, an overview of ionic liquids and their properties in the context of space technology applications is given. Recent studies into the use of ionic liquids in space propulsion, space lubrication, thermal control, composite materials, space telescopes, and life support systems are reviewed and discussed. Furthermore, where applicable, the potential future trends for ILs in space applications are highlighted.