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Lightweight Ablative and Ceramic Thermal Protection System Materials for NASA Exploration Systems VehiclesAs a collaborative effort among NASA Centers, the "Lightweight Nonmetallic Thermal Protection Materials Technology" Project was set up to assist mission/vehicle design trade studies, to support risk reduction in thermal protection system (TPS) material selections, to facilitate vehicle mass optimization, and to aid development of human-rated TPS qualification and certification plans. Missions performing aerocapture, aerobraking, or direct aeroentry rely on advanced heatshields that allow reductions in spacecraft mass by minimizing propellant requirements. Information will be presented on candidate materials for such reentry approaches and on screening tests conducted (material property and space environmental effects tests) to evaluate viable candidates. Seventeen materials, in three classes (ablatives, tiles, and ceramic matrix composites), were studied. In additional to physical, mechanical, and thermal property tests, high heat flux laser tests and simulated-reentry oxidation tests were performed. Space environmental effects testing, which included exposures to electrons, atomic oxygen, and hypervelocity impacts, was also conducted.
Document ID
20070001588
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Valentine, Peter G.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Lawrence, Timothy W.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Gubert, Michael K.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Milos, Frank S.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Kiser, James D.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Ohlhorst, Craig W.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Koenig, John R.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2006
Subject Category
Nonmetallic Materials
Meeting Information
Meeting: Materials Science and Technology 2006 Conference and Exhibition (MS&T''06)
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Country: United States
Start Date: October 15, 2006
End Date: October 19, 2006
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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