Enabling Technology for Thermal Protection on HIAD and Other Hypersonic Missions

Thermal protection systems (TPS) protect space vehicles from the intense heat generated during planetary entry. The Enabling Technology for Thermal Protection on HIAD and Other Hypersonic Missions demonstration aims to assess the thermal performance of two new TPS materials developed by Heetshield Inc. The two materials are opacified fibrous insulation (OFI) designed for attenuating the radiation mode of heat transfer and flexible insulation with reinforced aerogel (FIRA), designed to minimizes gas conduction heat transfer.

The Enabling Technology for Thermal Protection on Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD) and Other Hypersonic Missions demonstration aims to assess the performance of two insulation materials designed to improve performance and reduce the bulk of thermal protection systems on planetary entry vehicles. The materials aim to alleviate two primary forms of heat transfer: radiation and gas conduction. They can be tightly folded for easy storage, and flights will enable researchers to test survival and analyze the structure of the material post-flight. This has the potential to benefit NASA missions, the commercial space industry, other government agencies, and the nation.

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