Game Changing Development
Conformal Ablative TPS
Project Introduction
CA-TPS is enabling small businesses and universities with low cost access to space by using off-the-shelf broad goods and transferring the processing technology for a light weight TPS. Use of CA-TPS materials will allow future missions to Mars, Venus and Outer Planets to save both mass and cost.
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Anticipated Benefits
NASA funded: CA-TPS provides a lower cost, mass efficient solution that is easier to integrate due to the compliant and conformal nature of the material. CA-TPS can be used as a heat shield TPS for missions that will encounter peak heat flux ~500 W/cm2, peak pressures around 0.4 atm, and shear up to 500 Pa. Conformal ablator makes integration much easier for the back shell where geometric complexities such as penetrations and protrusions often requires expensive integration procedures.
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Project Closeout – Executive Summary
With the completion of arcjet testing and the assembly of a pathfinder demonstration unit, CA-TPS achieved a TRL of 4.
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Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Ames Research Center
(ARC)
|
Lead Organization | NASA Center | Moffett Field, CA |
| Applied Research Associates, Inc. | Supporting Organization | Industry | |
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
(JPL)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Pasadena, CA |
|
Langley Research Center
(LaRC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Hampton, VA |
| Terminal Velocity Aerospace, LLC | Supporting Organization | Industry | Atlanta, GA |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
Colorado
-
Maine
-
New York
-
Virginia
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Organizational Responsibility
Responsible Mission Directorate:
- Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
Lead Center / Facility:
- Ames Research Center (ARC)
Responsible Program:
- Game Changing Development
Project Management
Program Director:
Program Manager:
Project Manager:
Project Duration
Start: Oct 2013
End: Sep 2017
Technology Maturity (TRL)
| Start: | 2 |
| Current: | 6 |
| Estimated End: | 6 |
Applied Research
Development
Demo & Test
Technology Areas
Primary:
- TA 9 Entry, Descent, and Landing Systems
- TA 9.1 Aeroassist and Atmospheric Entry
- TA 9.1.1 Thermal Protection Systems for Rigid Decelerators
Other / Cross-cutting:
- TA 14 Thermal Management Systems
- TA 14.3 Thermal Protection Systems
- TA 14.3.1 Ascent/Entry TPS
Target Destination
Others Inside the Solar System
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