Insulating Material for Next-Generation SpacecraftA report discusses the development of a flexible thermal-insulation material for cryogenic tanks in next-generation spacecraft. This material is denoted Advanced Reusable All-temperature Multimode Insulation System (ARAMIS). The report begins by describing the need for ARAMIS and the technological challenges of developing a single material that is useable throughout the temperature range from storage of liquid hydrogen (20 K) to atmospheric-reentry heating (>2,000 K), has the requisite low thermal conductivity, resists condensation of moisture without need for a gas purge, and withstands reentry heating for a 400-mission lifetime. The report then discusses laboratory apparatuses for testing materials that have been and will be considered as candidates for the development of ARAMIS.
Document ID
20110014151
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Other - NASA Tech Brief
Authors
White, Susan (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Johnson, Sylvia (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Salerno, Louis (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Kittel, Peter (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Roach, Pat (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Helvensteijn, Ben (Atlas Scientific Sunnyvale, CA, United States)
Kashani, Ali (Atlas Scientific Sunnyvale, CA, United States)