Scientists exploring new materials for spacecraft protection have discovered that eggshell-inspired designs may hold promise. The approach involves creating 3D-printed aluminum arrays shaped like eggshells, then filling them with water.

In testing, these structures demonstrated improved impact resistance compared to conventional alternatives. The findings suggest that biomimetic design—copying patterns found in nature—could lead to better shielding solutions for spacecraft exposed to micrometeorite impacts and other hazards in space.