Aerogel Modified Structural Thermal Protection System

This program will mature and further develop structural syntactic foam insulated integral Thermal Protection System (TPS) designs and materials as an enabling technology for the highly reliable, reusable launch system. This proposed SBIR program will build on Powdermet's extensive prior experience with SiC rigid insulators, CMCs, and ultrahigh-temperature coatings, combined with design modeling from MR&D associates that identified positive directions needed in foam-supported integral structural TPS systems.

Non NASA applications include insulation for high temperature applications furnace insulation potential for commercial space craft applications as well as rocket and hypersonic control surfaces from commercial and military craft.

NASA applications include future reentry vehicles and hypersonic flight vehicles as well as structural insulators for control and rocket divert motors.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — 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.