Editing Vectran (section)

== Usage ==
Vectran fibers are used as reinforcing (matrix) fibers for [[rope]]s, [[electrical cable]]s, [[sailcloth]], and advanced [[composite material]]s, professional bike tires, and in electronics applications. It is used as one of the layers in the softgoods structure of NASA's Extravehicular Mobility Unit (spacesuit) designed and manufactured by [[ILC Dover]] and was the fabric used for all of the airbag landings on Mars: [[Mars Pathfinder]] in 1997<ref name=wm20100304>
[http://www.warwickmills.com/Vectran.aspx Vectran Fiber -- Roll Goods and Custom Applications], Warwick Mills, "woven Vectran to strengthen fabric for use [on] NASA's Pathfinder mission to Mars", accessed 2010-03-04.</ref>
and on the twin [[Mars Exploration Rover]]s ''Spirit'' and ''Opportunity'' missions in 2004, also designed and manufactured by [[ILC Dover]] .<ref name=vfdc20100304>
[http://www.vectranfiber.com/applications.asp Vectran Product Properties and Applications -- Industrial/Military/Aerospace], "The success of the [Pathfinder] landing has led to the selection of this same technology using Vectran fiber for two additional rover landings in 2004.", accessed 2010-03-04.</ref> 
The material was used again on NASA's 2011 [[Mars Science Laboratory]] in the bridle cables.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA11428|title=PIA11428: Device for Lowering Mars Science Laboratory Rover to the Surface|publisher=[[JPL]]|date=2008-11-19}}</ref>

Vectran is a key component of a line of inflatable spacecraft developed by [[Bigelow Aerospace]],<ref name=bbc20060714>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/5173388.stm Inflatable space module puffs up], Jonathan Fildes, BBC News, 14 Jul 2006</ref> not only on two stations which are in orbit<ref name="space20080509">{{cite news |url=http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080509-bigelow-genesis1-milestone.html |title=Private Space Station Prototype Hits Orbital Milestone |work=Space.com |first=Tariq |last=Malik |date=2008-05-09 |access-date=2009-10-03}}</ref><ref name="ba20090423">{{cite web |url=http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/news/?Genesis_II_Completes_10,000_Orbits! |title=Genesis II Completes 10,000 Orbits! |work=BigelowAerospace.com |date=2009-04-23 |access-date=2009-10-03}}</ref> but also the [[Bigelow Expandable Activity Module]] which [[NASA]] is testing for its radiation shielding and thermal control capabilities.<ref name=ns20100303>
[https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18607-nasa-turned-on-by-blowup-space-stations.html NASA turned on by blow-up space stations], Paul Marks, ''[[New Scientist]]'', 2010-03-03, accessed 2010-03-03.</ref>

The [[United States Department of Homeland Security]] is sponsoring development of an inflatable plug made of Vectran to prevent flooding in [[New York City Subway]] tunnels and for [[list of bridges and tunnels in New York City|other tunnels]] in [[New York City]], as it is strong but relatively inexpensive, and not edible for [[rats in New York City|rats]].<ref name="fountain20121120">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/20/science/creating-a-balloonlike-plug-to-hold-back-floodwaters.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&pagewanted=all& | title=Holding Back Floodwaters With a Balloon | work=The New York Times | date=2012-11-20 | access-date=November 20, 2012 | author=Fountain, Henry | pages=D1}}</ref> Vectran fiber is also used in manufacturing badminton strings such as [[Yonex]] BG-85 and BG-80.
Vectran is also used in the manufacturing of Carlton Vapour Trail badminton rackets.<ref name="yonex2011">{{cite web |url=http://www.yonex.com/badminton/webcatalog2011/#page=31 |title=Yonex 2011 Catalog |access-date=2011-07-25}}</ref>

Vectran is used as a puncture protection layer in Continental Bicycle tyres such as the Grand Prix 5000, Competition tubular (single layer) and Grand Prix 4 season (two layers). Vectran does not increase rolling resistance or downgrade casing performance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.continental-tires.com/bicycle/technology/city-trekking/vectran|title=continental bicycle Vectran|website=www.continental-tires.com|language=en|access-date=2017-07-20}}</ref>