Ablative TPS for VARDA and Inversion Space RSAAs

VARDA Space Industries and Inversion Space are pioneering ways to provide in-space manufacturing as well as provide LEO down-mass options. Most existing commercial space companies (SpaceX, Lockheed, Boeing) only produce TPS for their missions, and costs to develop and test new TPS are prohibitive. NASA was able to provide Government Know how/IP to enable them to show investors successful proof of concept of their aeroshell designs.

Previously provided TPS is now being tech-transferred through RSAAs, allowing these companies to make their own material for subsequent missions and further commercial growth.