Advanced TPS Materials

This technology element represents the CHIEFS work done for the US Forestry Service. The initial design has been tested in a relevant environment is near TRL6. Plan for future funding in development are pending. The CHIEFS task within the Entry Systems Modeling Project was focused on the collaborative development of flexible insulator materials and fabrication concepts derived from flexible thermal protection heatshields for NASA inflatable vehicle technology and with potential benefit to the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) emergency fire shelter. The technology interests for both organizations have common functional needs that include short duration high temperature resistance, low mass, robust packing capability, one-time use, and low stowage volume. The CHIEFS project leveraged the experience and technical capabilities from both organizations which led to significant improvement in the protective capability of prototype shelters and ultimately enhances the survivability of entrapped firefighting personnel. Fire shelter technology has been transferred to the US Forest Service which has manufactured several field test articles placed in service during the Summer 2018 firefighting season. Results from post field-service tests will be conducted to determine these test articles will help to determine potential replacement of existing shelter designs.