Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer
Advanced High Temperature Structural Honeycomb TPS, Phase I
Project Introduction
In this NASA Phase I SBIR program, MATECH proposes to leverage successfully developed laboratory and pilot scale manufacturing technologies to produce low cost Silicon Oxycarbide (SiOC) fibrous-walled high temperature honeycomb structures, hat stiffeners, and rigid fibrous insulators. A highly scale-able melt blowing fiber manufacturing system was previously developed to produce non-woven mat from preceramic polymer and then formed into a pleated shape using a pleating apparatus. MATECH has shown that the SiOC fibrous ceramic used to make the core retains its mechanical and thermal stability to temperatures up to 1400˚C. These robust structural airframe materials can be densified with SiOC and ZrOC (for ultra-high temperature) matrix materials to produce a suite of advanced heat shield components. This suite innovative airframe material systems and fabrication methodology offers robust innovative multifunctional structural high temperature thermal protection systems for demanding high-mass planetary entry, descent, and landing (EDL) applications. The active support and participation of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne and Boeing bodes well for a successful Phase I effort and follow-on Phase II program. More significantly, the close collaboration with these major industrial stakeholders enhances the likelihood of a successful Phase III transition into commercialization.
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Anticipated Benefits
The Phase I proposal shall demonstrate low cost Silicon Oxycarbide (SiOC) fibrous-walled high temperature honeycomb structures, hat stiffeners, and rigid fibrous insulators. These robust structural airframe materials can be densified with SiOC and ZrOC (for ultra-high temperature) matrix materials to produce a suite of advanced heat shield components. These airframe material systems and associated fabrication methodology offers robust multifunctional structural high temperature thermal protection systems (TPS) for next generation RALV and demanding high-mass planetary atmospheric entry, descent, and landing (PAES-EDL) applications. This MATECH SBIR proposal offers a platform of unique formable ceramic materials using Net Shape processing for low cost, readily scale-able manufacturing. Potential applications for this innovative technology include hypersonic leading edges, hypersonic airframes, and heat shields for NASA vehicles. These vehicles include hypersonic re-entry from orbit, hypersonic cruise and high speed accelerators. Potential Non-NASA applications include hot component parts on missiles, such as MDA's THAAD and SM-3. In addition, MATECH has identified heat shields for the private sector led efforts towards the return of manned space activities in LEO as potentially benefiting from this proposed technology. This could be potentially applied to the on-going efforts of SpaceX, Virgin Inter-Galactic, and Orbital Sciences.
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Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| MATECH Advanced Materials | Lead Organization | Industry | Westlake Village, California |
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
(JPL)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Pasadena, California |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
California
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Organizational Responsibility
Responsible Mission Directorate:
- Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
Lead Organization:
- MATECH Advanced Materials
Responsible Program:
- Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer
Project Management
Program Director:
Program Manager:
Principal Investigator:
Project Duration
Start: Feb 2012
End: Aug 2012
Technology Maturity (TRL)
| Start: | 3 |
| Current: | 6 |
| Estimated End: | 6 |
Applied Research
Development
Demo & Test
Technology Areas
Primary:
- TX09 Entry, Descent, and Landing
- TX09.1 Aeroassist and Atmospheric Entry
- TX09.1.1 Thermal Protection Systems
Target Destination
Others Inside the Solar System
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