3D Multifunctional Ablative Thermal Protection SystemNASA is developing the Orion spacecraft to carry astronauts farther into the solar system than ever before, with human exploration of Mars as its ultimate goal. One of the technologies required to enable this advanced, Apollo-shaped capsule is a 3-dimensional quartz fiber composite for the vehicle's compression pad. During its mission, the compression pad serves first as a structural component and later as an ablative heat shield, partially consumed on Earth re-entry. This presentation will summarize the development of a new 3D quartz cyanate ester composite material, 3-Dimensional Multifunctional Ablative Thermal Protection System (3D-MAT), designed to meet the mission requirements for the Orion compression pad. Manufacturing development, aerothermal (arc-jet) testing, structural performance, and the overall status of material development for the 2018 EM-1 flight test will be discussed.
Document ID
20150011678
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Abstract
Authors
Feldman, Jay (ERC, Inc. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Venkatapathy, Ethiraj (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Wilkinson, Curt (Bally Ribbon Mills Bally, PA, United States)
Mercer, Ken (San Diego Composites, LLC San Diego, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
June 26, 2015
Publication Date
January 6, 2015
Subject Category
Composite Materials
Report/Patent Number
ARC-E-DAA-TN21074
Meeting Information
Meeting: National Space & Missile Materials Symposium