Passive System


In space and astronautical engineering, a passive system refers to a system that does not require any external power or control to operate. It relies on natural phenomena such as gravity, radiation, and thermal energy to function. Passive systems are often used in spacecraft design to reduce complexity, weight, and cost. Examples of passive systems include passive thermal control systems that use materials with high thermal conductivity to regulate temperature, passive attitude control systems that use gravity-gradient stabilization or magnetic torquers to maintain spacecraft orientation, and passive radiation shielding systems that use materials with high atomic number to protect against ionizing radiation. Passive systems are also used in space exploration missions to study celestial bodies such as planets, moons, and asteroids. For instance, passive seismic experiments use natural vibrations and impacts to study the interior structure of planets and moons.


Your Previous Searches
Random Picks

  • GoMTR: GoMTR stands for Gravity Offload Mechanism Test Rig. It is a device used to simulate microgravity conditions for testing and validating space hardware and experiments. GoMTR consists of a large vacuum chamber where the hardware or experimen ... Read More >>
  • Anti-nausea Medications: Anti-nausea medications are drugs used to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting, which are common side effects of spaceflight. These medications work by blocking signals in the brain that trigger nausea and vomiting, or by reducing the sensi ... Read More >>
  • Polyimide: Polyimide is a type of polymer that is commonly used in the space and astronautical engineering field due to its high temperature resistance, low outgassing properties, and excellent mechanical strength. It is often used as a coating or fil ... Read More >>
Top News

Check out this interactive map of the early universe, considered largest ever cr...

A team of astronomers have put together the largest, most detailed map of the universe ever created – and you can explore it now....

News Source: USA Today on 2025-06-12

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is about to totally transform astronomy...

With the ability to scan the entire southern night sky every three days, the huge Vera C. Rubin Observatory could be about to start solving the mysteries of the universe, from dark matter to Planet Ni...

News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-12

Trump's proposed science cuts will have huge consequences...

The universe will still be there to marvel at, despite brutal cuts set to hit NASA and the National Science Foundation's budgets. But the damage to future research will be long-lasting, says Chanda Pr...

News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-11

Starlink satellites are leaking radio signals that may ruin astronomy...

Our ability to study faint radio signals from when the first stars began to form is being threatened by SpaceX's Starlink satellites, which seem to be unintentionally leaking radio signals that overpo...

News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-09

Asteroids around Venus pose possible 'invisible threat' to Earth: Should you be ...

A swarm of large asteroids likely lurking around Venus could one day pose an "invisible threat" to Earth if left unchecked, astronomers have warned....

News Source: USA Today on 2025-06-06