Conformal Ablative TPS (CA-TPS)
Project Description
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.
More »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.
More »Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Ames Research Center
(ARC)
|
Lead Organization | NASA Center | Moffett Field, California |
| Applied Research Associates, Inc. | Supporting Organization | Industry | |
| Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) | Supporting Organization | FFRDC/UARC | Pasadena, California |
Langley Research Center
(LaRC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Hampton, Virginia |
| Terminal Velocity Aerospace, LLC | Supporting Organization | Industry | Atlanta, Georgia |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
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California
-
Colorado
-
Maine
-
New York
-
Ohio
-
Virginia
