The design of fibrous insulation to minimize radiative heat transfer for TPS

Opacifiers are known to improve mitigation of radiative heat transfer in fibrous insulations. The analysis will be extended to 2-D space, fibrous mediums with short fibers and opacifiers will be added, and thermal testing of Opacified Fibrous Insulation (OFI) will be completed. The analysis capability will be validated by measured optical properties and thermal performance of Q-fiber Felt and OFI.

Predictive capability enables optimal TPS design and manufacturing, including opacified fibrous insulation (OFI). Develop a physics-based capability to predict radiative heat transfer in fibrous insulation. Study Q-Fiber Felt and OFI by SEM, optical, and thermal vacuum testing and validate the analysis with experiment.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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