TUFROC Thermal Protection SystemToughened Unipiece Fibrous Reinforced Oxidation-resistant Composite (TUFROC) is a tiled Thermal Protection System (TPS) suitable for reusable entry heating at 2900+ °F and with single use potential up to at least 3600 °F. TUFROC was initially developed for NASA's X-37 project and ultimately resulted in use on the Air Force X-37B as the wing leading edge (WLE) of the vehicle. TUFROC has similar high temperature capability compared with carbon/carbon, but is manufactured at an order of magnitude lower cost & faster schedule.
Document ID
20190030273
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Poster
Authors
Feldman, Jay (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Stewart, David (Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. Hampton, VA, United States)
Leiser, Daniel (Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. Hampton, VA, United States)
Switzer, Matthew (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Gokcen, Tahir (Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. Hampton, VA, United States)
Skokova, Kristina (Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. Hampton, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 28, 2019
Publication Date
August 26, 2019
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Report/Patent Number
ARC-E-DAA-TN71391Report Number: ARC-E-DAA-TN71391
Meeting Information
Meeting: 2019 Hypersonic Technology & Systems Conference (HTSC)