Advanced coatings for robust; reusable; and low-cost thermal protection systems (TPS)

To establish sustainable LEO and lunar transportation; TPS must be developed with improved damage tolerance to MMOD; increased temperature capability; and reduced costs. Coatings are the first line of defense to MMOD and re-entry heating. This project leverages cross-cutting technologies to develop reusable TPS coatings and automated coating systems broadly applicable to NASA efforts. Performance target for the coatings are capability to survive temperatures of ≥ 3000 °F for ≥ 10 exposures with demonstrated damage tolerance to MMOD via hypervelocity impact testing.

This project will develop coatings for reusable TPS that offer improved damage tolerance to MMOD (reducing risk and cost); increased temperature capability (enabling use in severe environments); and manufacturing routes with reduced cost and touch time. There are several direct paths to infusion in existing programs including Orion (backshell TPS) and HLS (Starship acreage TPS). A library of coating performance and properties will be assembled; benchmarked to heritage systems; and compiled in a white paper disseminated to partners participating in the CCP and CLDP programs to guide TPS selection.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — 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.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.