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Progress Towards Modeling the Mars Science Laboratory PICA-NuSil HeatshieldThe data collected by the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Entry, Descent and Landing Instrumentation, MEDLI, have become an established reference to assess the performance of engineering models of the Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA) and to validate hypersonic computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools for entry systems. MEDLI measurements are also extensively used as validation reference for current developments of high-fidelity material response models for PICA. So large has been the scientific output and impact of MEDLI that a follow-up instrumentation suite MEDLI2 is underway for the upcoming Mars 2020 mission.A feature neglected thus far in the modeling of the MSL heatshield, is the presence of a silicone-based room temperature vulcanizing coating designated NuSil CV-1144-0. NuSil was used to coat the entire MSL heatshield, including the MEDLI plugs, to mitigate the spread of phenolic dust from PICA, and limit contamination during clean room operations. NuSil CV-1144-0 is a space grade siloxane copolymer, designed as an oxygen protection barrier for extreme low temperature environment.Assessments conducted during MSL development demonstrated that the presence of NuSil had no adverse effect on the performance of PICA. However, evidence from ground testing of PICA-NuSil (PICA-N) models in the HyMETS arc-jet test facility suggests that the silicone changes the high temperature response of PICA. It is therefore critical to assess the importance of modeling the coating in ongoing code validation efforts.





Document ID
20190028635
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Presentation
Authors
Bessire, Brody K.
(Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Borner, Arnaud P.
(Science and Technology Corp. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Meurisse, Jeremie B.
(Science and Technology Corp. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Monk, Joshua D.
(Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 1, 2019
Publication Date
July 8, 2019
Subject Category
Composite Materials
Report/Patent Number
ARC-E-DAA-TN70428
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Planetary Probe Workshop 2019
Location: Oxford, England
Country: United Kingdom
Start Date: July 8, 2019
End Date: July 12, 2019
Sponsors: European Space Agency (ESA)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNA15BB15C
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNA16BD60C
TASK: 04B.TSM.02.M0
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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