NASA Tech Explorer
Back to the catalog

Issued patent

Creating Low Density Flexible Ablative Materials

An issued NASA patent from the Technology Transfer catalog.

View at technology.nasa.gov
Media from NASA Technology Transfer

About this technology

Overview

NASA has created a new approach to make a low density flexible ablative Thermal Protection Surface (TPS) material. The material is foldable and can be stowed in space for very long periods of time (years) without compromising deployability or performance. These flexible ablators offer an alternative to rigid TPS materials there by reducing design complexity associated with rigid TPS materials resulting in reduced TPS cost. The low density flexible ablator is unique in that the material retains its flexibility after charring. The charred material has similar flexibility and strength to the virgin material. This is in contrast too there flexible ablator concepts whereas stiffer chairs produced during heating.