Progress in Manufacturing & Characterizing Domestic Lyocell PICA (PICA-D) and Comparison to Heritage PICA

NASA ARC (Ames Research Center) is working with SMD-PSD (NASA Science Mission Directorate- Planetary Science Directorate) to address PICA ( Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator) rayon sustainability concerns. In FY16/17, Lyocell Based PICA (PICA-D (Domestic)) was manufactured and limited testing performed showing it to be a good candidate as a potential replacement for heritage rayon. Establishing PICA-D as a "drop in replacement" will allow missions to depend on and design missions with PICA without any risk typical of a replacement. Establishing the extended capability of PICA-D will allow Sample Return Missions with higher entry speed that were not considered before.