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Completed TRL 6 (started at 3, targeting 6)
The innovation is a minimally thermally invasive mechanical load train that permits mechanical loading during high heat flux tests. The Leading Edge Irradiation Assembly (LEIA) CIF developed a thermal capability for extremely high heat flux testing but did not explore mechanical loading due to time and budget constraints. This project will build on models and analyses created during LEIA and on advancements in thermally insulating refractory structural ceramics which have been pursued by the Flight Loads Lab to integrate mechanical loading into a LEIA test setup.
The impact of the innovation will be to increase overall national capacity in a critically needed ground test capability. Increased capacity will allow flight programs to buy down risk for their leading edges and other components earlier in their development schedules. The innovation could improve the success rate of arc jet testing by screening designs before the more expensive and schedule-critical arc jet tests. This would ultimately improve the success rate of flight vehicles.
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This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
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