Advancing spacecraft safety and longevity: A review of guided waves-based structural health monitoring

The reusability and prolonged operation of spacecraft underscore the critical need for advanced structural health monitoring (SHM) systems. Guided waves-based SHM (GWs-SHM) offers an effective solution with its comprehensive coverage, enhanced sensitivity, and real-time monitoring capabilities, addressing the imperative for rapid anomaly detection and fault diagnosis. This study examines the application of GWs-SHM in spacecraft, focusing on the localization of space debris impacts, structural damage assessment, and leak detection. It discusses the challenges faced by spacecraft components and emphasizes the need for sophisticated SHM systems. Recent theoretical and methodological advancements in guided wave modeling and simulation are also reviewed. The paper further explores the integration of GWs-SHM with emerging aerospace technologies, such as space robots, artificial intelligence, multi-sensors data fusion, guided-wave based wireless communication and energy transmission. This work envisions significant advancements in spacecraft safety and operational longevity through the development of cutting-edge GWs-SHM technologies, urging for continuous innovation in sensor technology, algorithm development, and the integration of artificial intelligence for smarter decision-making in the challenging space environment.