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At least 343 records · Page 19

An overview of Japanese CELSS research activities

Development of Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) technology is inevitable for future long duration stays of human beings in space, for lunar base construction and for manned Mars flight programs. CELSS functions can be divided into 2 categories, Environmental Control and Material Recycling. Temperature, humidity, total atmospheric pressure and partial pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide, necessary for all living things, are to be controlled by the environment control function. This function can be performed by technologies already developed and used as the Environment Control Life Support System (ECLSS) of Space Shuttle and Space Station. As for material recycling, matured technologies have not yet been established for fully satisfying the specific metabolic requirements of each living thing including human beings. Therefore, research activities for establishing CELSS technology should be focused on material recycling technologies using biological systems such as plants and animals and physico-chemical systems, for example, a gas recycling system, a water purifying and recycling system and a waste management system. Japanese research activities were conducted and will be continued accordingly.

Nitta, Keiji↗

Carbon Nanostructure: Its Evolution During its Impact Upon Soot Growth and Oxidation

The proposed work is a ground-based study to define and quantify soot nanostructural changes in response to growth conditions, thermal and oxidative treatments and to quantify their impact upon further oxidation and growth of highly ordered carbon materials. Experimental data relating soot oxidation rates to multiple oxidizing species concentrations will directly test for additive or synergistic soot oxidation rates. Such validation is central for assessing the applicability of individual soot oxidation rates and designing oxidative strategies for controlling soot loadings in and emissions from turbulent combustion processes. Through these experiments, new insights into soot nanostructure evolution during and its impact upon oxidation by O2 and OH will be realized. It is expected that the results of this effort will spawn new research directions in future microgravity and 1g environments. Issues raised by positive or even negative demonstration of the hypotheses of this proposal have direct bearing on modelling and controlling soot formation and its destruction in nearly every combustion process producing soot.

Source record↗

Computational Nanotechnology of Molecular Materials, Electronics, and Actuators with Carbon Nanotubes and Fullerenes

The role of computational nanotechnology in developing next generation of multifunctional materials, molecular scale electronic and computing devices, sensors, actuators, and machines is described through a brief review of enabling computational techniques and few recent examples derived from computer simulations of carbon nanotube based molecular nanotechnology.

Srivastava, Deepak↗

Strain Sensitivity in Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Multifunctional Materials

Single walled carbon nanotubes represent the future of structural aerospace vehicle systems due to their unparalleled strength characteristics and demonstrated multifunctionality. This multifunctionality rises from the CNT's unique capabilities for both metallic and semiconducting electron transport, electron spin polarizability, and band gap modulation under strain. By incorporating the use of electric field alignment and various lithography techniques, a single wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) test bed for measurement of conductivity/strain relationships has been developed. Nanotubes are deposited at specified locations through dielectrophoresis. The circuit is designed such that the central, current carrying section of the nanotube is exposed to enable atomic force microscopy and manipulation in situ while the transport properties of the junction are monitored. By applying this methodology to sensor development a flexible single wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) based strain sensitive device has been developed. Studies of tensile testing of the flexible SWNT device vs conductivity are also presented, demonstrating the feasibility of using single walled HiPCO (high-pressure carbon monoxide) carbon nanotubes as strain sensing agents in a multi-functional materials system.

Heath, D. M.↗

DF-1, A Nontoxic Carbon Fullerene Based Antioxidant, is Effective as a Biomedical Countermeasure Against Radiation

A long-term goal of radiation research is the mitigation of inherent risks of radiation exposure. Thus the study and development of safe agents, whether biomedical or dietary, that act as effective radioprotectors is an important step in accomplishing this long-term goal. Some of the most effective agents to date have been aminothiols and their derivatives. Unfortunately, most of these agents have side effects such as nausea, vomiting, hypotension, weakness, and fatigability. For example, nausea and emesis occur in most patients treated with WR-2721 (Amifostine), requiring the use of effective antiemetics, with hypotension being the dose-limiting side effect in patients treated. Clearly, the need for a radioprotector that is both effective and safe still exists. Development of biocompatible nano-materials for radioprotection is a promising emerging technology that could be exploited to address the need to minimize biological effects when exposure is unavoidable. Testing free radical scavenging nanoparticles for potential use in radioprotection is exciting and highly relevant. Initial investigations presented here demonstrate the ability of a particular functionalized carbon fullerene nanoparticle, (DF-1), to act as an effective radioprotector. DF-1 was first identified as the most promising candidate in a screen of several functionalized carbon fullerenes based on lack of toxicity and antioxidant therapeutic potential against oxidative injuries (i.e. organ reperfusion and ionizing radiation). Subsequently, DF-1 has been shown to reduce chromosome aberration yield and cell death, as well as overall ROS levels in human lymphocytes and fibroblasts after exposure to gamma radiation and energetic protons while demonstrating no associated toxicity. The dose-reducing factor of DF-1 at LD50 is nearly 2.0 for gamma radiation. In addition, DF-1 treatment also significantly prevented cell cycle arrest after exposure. Finally, DF-1 markedly attenuated COX2 upregulation in cell culture after irradiation thus preventing an inflammatory response to irradiation. Taken together, these results suggest that DF-1 provides potent protection against several deleterious cellular consequences of irradiation in mammalian systems including oxidative stress, DNA damage, inflammation and cell death.

Theriot, Corey A.↗

Chemical, Structural, and Microstructural Changes in Metallic and Silicon-Based Coating Materials Exposed to Iodine Vapor

The chemical, structural and microstructural behavior of steels (304, 316 and A36), titanium-aluminum alloy (Ti-Al, (6Al-4V)), aluminum-magnesium alloy (Al-Mg, 6061), and coatings (Silcolloy and Dursan (SilcoTek Corporation)) were probed after exposure to iodine laminar flow. Exposures were carried out in a custom-built Iodine Vapor RIG (IVR) at 300 degrees C to an iodine laminar vapor flow of 1 mg min(exp. -1), carried by 145 mL-min(exp. -1) argon gas, for 5, 15 and 30 days. Samples were characterized before and after the experiment by gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and cross section electron microscopy analysis coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). All steels exposed for 30 days formed scales consisting mainly of metal (Cr, Fe, Ni) oxides showing different chemistry, microstructure and crystalline phases. Elemental iodine was only detected by EDS analysis in the scales of stainless steels 304 and 316. After 30 days, the Ti-Al exhibited no detectable scale, suggesting only a very thin film was formed. A scale consisting mainly of aluminum, iodine, and oxygen formed on the Al-Mg sample exposed to 30 days. Some pockets rich in magnesium, iodine and oxygen also formed in this Al-Mg alloy. Stainless steel 316, low carbon steel A36 and Ti-Al alloy coated with Silcolloy and stainless steel 304 coated with Dursan that were exposed for 30 days exhibited no oxidation. Stainless steel 304 coated with Silcolloy exposed for 30 days did not exhibit corrosion although the sample gained weight and the coating exhibited expansion. The weight gain per area performance of the materials exposed in iodine lamina flow containing oxygen at impurity level for 10, 15 and 30 days are reported from the lowest to the highest weight gain per area as follows: Steels: Less than 316 less than 304 less than A36; Ti-Al-Mg based alloys: Al-Mg less than Ti-Al: Considering the experimental uncertainties, no weight change was observed for Stainless steel 316, low carbon steel A36 and Ti-Al alloy coated with Silcolloy and stainless steel 304 coated with Dursan. The corrosion of the alloys is catalyzed by iodine in the presence of oxygen as impurity.

Costa, Gustavo C. C.↗

A Study of Shape Memory Polymer Based Slat-Cove Filler

Aircraft noise reduction is an application of current intense interest for which smart materials show significant potential. Specifically, the aeroacoustic noise produced by the unsteady aerodynamic flow about the leading-edge high-lift device, such as leading-edge slat, of typical transport-aircraft wings is of particular interest. Concepts with the most promise to mitigate this noise source, most notably the slat-cove filler concept, have focused on highly reconfigurable structures that change shape between different phases of the flight envelope. These shape changes often involve large deformation, which has stimulated the consideration of shape memory materials. In recent years, shape memory materials (SMMs) have drawn greater interest for applications such as smart fabrics, intelligent medical devices, self-deployable space structures, morphing structures and packaging. Compared to other shape memory materials, like shape memory alloys (SMAs) or shape memory ceramics (SMCs), shape memory polymers (SMPs) have desirable advantages such as high elastic deformation to enable large shape change, broad tailorability of mechanical properties, potential biocompatibility and biodegradability, ductility, light weight and ease of processing. However, SMPs still have some critical disadvantages such as insufficient mechanical and thermal characteristics for structural applications, low recovery stress, and long response time. The new LaRC shape memory thermosetting polymer composite (LaRC-SMPC) discussed herein was synthesized with nontoxic monomers and conductive/magnetic fillers to yield enhanced thermal/mechanical characteristics and faster response times. LaRC-SMPCs with a variety of fiber reinforcements [Kevlar®, carbon fiber (standard and thin-ply), and carbon-nanotube (CNT) sheet] were fabricated to tailor the physical properties and test for suitability as a slat-cove filler (SCF). The performance of SCF prototypes fabricated with the developed LaRC-SMPCs was evaluated using a bench-top test apparatus. The SCFs made of Kevlar® fiber fabric or carbon fiber fabric infused shape memory polymer composite (SMPC) exhibited kinking during simulated deployment and stowage, which can be problematic during operation. The SCF made of CNT sheet/SMP composite did not exhibit kinking, but the deployment was sluggish compared to carbon fiber fabric/SMP composite. This report documents the evolution of designing SMPCs as slat-cove fillers for aircraft noise reduction. In the course of the investigation, several 2 approaches were investigated to address shortcomings in material characteristics based on performance requirements of operational slat-cove fillers.

Kang, Jin Ho↗

Rapid Fabrication of Carbide Matrix/Carbon Fiber Composites

Composites of zirconium carbide matrix material reinforced with carbon fibers can be fabricated relatively rapidly in a process that includes a melt infiltration step. Heretofore, these and other ceramic matrix composites have been made in a chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) process that takes months. The finished products of the CVI process are highly porous and cannot withstand temperatures above 3,000 F (approx.1,600 C). In contrast, the melt-infiltration-based process takes only a few days, and the composite products are more nearly fully dense and have withstood temperatures as high as 4,350 F (approx.2,400 C) in a highly oxidizing thrust chamber environment. Moreover, because the melt- infiltration-based process takes much less time, the finished products are expected to cost much less. Fabrication begins with the preparation of a carbon fiber preform that, typically, is of the size and shape of a part to be fabricated. By use of low-temperature ultraviolet-enhanced chemical vapor deposition, the carbon fibers in the preform are coated with one or more interfacial material(s), which could include oxides. The interfacial material helps to protect the fibers against chemical attack during the remainder of the fabrication process and against oxidation during subsequent use; it also enables slippage between the fibers and the matrix material, thereby helping to deflect cracks and distribute loads. Once the fibers have been coated with the interfacial material, the fiber preform is further infiltrated with a controlled amount of additional carbon, which serves as a reactant for the formation of the carbide matrix material. The next step is melt infiltration. The preform is exposed to molten zirconium, which wicks into the preform, drawn by capillary action. The molten metal fills most of the interstices of the preform and reacts with the added carbon to form the zirconium carbide matrix material. The zirconium does not react with the underlying fibers because they are protected by the interfacial material(s). The success of the melt-infiltration step depends on interface material selection and uniform coating of the fibers, infiltration with the correct amount of carbon, and careful control of temperature and rate of heating.

Williams, Brian E.↗

Symposium on High Power, Ambient Temperature Lithium Batteries, 180th Meeting of the Electrochemical Society, Phoenix, AZ, Oct. 13-17, 1991, Proceedings

Papers presented in these proceedings are on the state of the art in high-power lithium batteries, a design analysis of high-power Li-TiS2 battery, the performance and safety features of spiral wound lithium/thionyl chloride cells, the feasibility of a superhigh energy density battery of the Li/BrF3 electrochemical system, and an enhanced redox process of disulfide compounds and their application in high energy storage. Attention is also given to the structure and charge-discharge characteristics of mesophase-pitch based carbons, a study of carbons and graphites as anodes for lithium rechargeable cells, Li metal-free rechargeable Li(1+x)Mn2O4/carbon cells, and rechargeable lithium batteries using V6O13/V5O5 as the positive electrode material. Other papers discuss the electrochemical stability of organic electrolytes in contact with solid inorganic cathode materials, the electrochemical behavior of methyl formate solutions, and the interface between a solid polymer electrolyte and lithium anode.

Clark, W. D. K.↗

Preparation and characterization of poly (arylene ether isoxazole)s by fluoride ion-mediated aromatic nucleophilic displacement reactions

As part of a continuing effort to prepare novel thermally stable high-performance polymers, poly(arylene ether isoxazole)s have been prepared by fluoride ion-catalyzed aromatic nucleophilic substitution reactions with bis(trimethylsiloxyphenyl) isoxazoles and activated bisarylhalides in diphenyl sulfone. Initial investigation involving the preparation of these materials with isoxazole bisphenols and activated bisarylhalides in the presence of potassium carbonate indicated that, under reaction conditions necessary to prepare high-molecular-weight materials, the isoxazole monomer was converted to an enamino ketone. This side reaction was avoided by using fluoride as a base. However, trimethylsilyl ether derivatives of the isoxazole bisphenols were required in these polymerizations for the preparation of high-molecular-weight materials. Moderate to high inherent viscosity eta(sub inh): 0.43-0.87 dl/g) materials with good thermal stability (air: 409-477 C, helium: 435-512 C) can be prepared by the silyl ether method. Glass transition temperatures ranged from 182 to 225 C for polymers with phenyl pendants and from 170 to 214 C for those without. Molecular weight control by 2% endcapping and the incorporation of a phenyl pendant at the 4 position of the isoxazole is necessary to yield polymers soluble in polar aprotic solvents at room temperature. There is evidence, however, indicating the existence of crosslinks between the polymer chains when the silyl ether approach is utilized.

Herbert, C. G.↗

Reinforced Carbon-Carbon Subcomponent Flat Plate Impact Testing for Space Shuttle Orbiter Return to Flight

Following the tragedy of the Space Shuttle Columbia on February 1, 2003, a major effort commenced to develop a better understanding of debris impacts and their effect on the Space Shuttle subsystems. An initiative to develop and validate physics-based computer models to predict damage from such impacts was a fundamental component of this effort. To develop the models it was necessary to physically characterize Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) and various debris materials which could potentially shed on ascent and impact the Orbiter RCC leading edges. The validated models enabled the launch system community to use the impact analysis software LS DYNA to predict damage by potential and actual impact events on the Orbiter leading edge and nose cap thermal protection systems. Validation of the material models was done through a three-level approach: fundamental tests to obtain independent static and dynamic material model properties of materials of interest, sub-component impact tests to provide highly controlled impact test data for the correlation and validation of the models, and full-scale impact tests to establish the final level of confidence for the analysis methodology. This paper discusses the second level subcomponent test program in detail and its application to the LS DYNA model validation process. The level two testing consisted of over one hundred impact tests in the NASA Glenn Research Center Ballistic Impact Lab on 6 by 6 in. and 6 by 12 in. flat plates of RCC and evaluated three types of debris projectiles: BX 265 External Tank foam, ice, and PDL 1034 External Tank foam. These impact tests helped determine the level of damage generated in the RCC flat plates by each projectile. The information obtained from this testing validated the LS DYNA damage prediction models and provided a certain level of confidence to begin performing analysis for full-size RCC test articles for returning NASA to flight with STS 114 and beyond.

Melis, Matthew E.↗

NASA Tech Briefs, February 2011

Topics covered include: Multi-Segment Radius Measurement Using an Absolute Distance Meter Through a Null Assembly; Fiber-Optic Magnetic-Field-Strength Measurement System for Lightning Detection; Photocatalytic Active Radiation Measurements and Use; Computer Generated Hologram System for Wavefront Measurement System Calibration; Non-Contact Thermal Properties Measurement with Low-Power Laser and IR Camera System; SpaceCube 2.0: An Advanced Hybrid Onboard Data Processor; CMOS Imager Has Better Cross-Talk and Full-Well Performance; High-Performance Wireless Telemetry; Telemetry-Based Ranging; JWST Wavefront Control Toolbox; Java Image I/O for VICAR, PDS, and ISIS; X-Band Acquisition Aid Software; Antimicrobial-Coated Granules for Disinfecting Water; Range 7 Scanner Integration with PaR Robot Scanning System; Methods of Antimicrobial Coating of Diverse Materials; High-Operating-Temperature Barrier Infrared Detector with Tailorable Cutoff Wavelength; A Model of Reduced Kinetics for Alkane Oxidation Using Constituents and Species for N-Heptane; Thermally Conductive Tape Based on Carbon Nanotube Arrays; Two Catalysts for Selective Oxidation of Contaminant Gases; Nanoscale Metal Oxide Semiconductors for Gas Sensing; Lightweight, Ultra-High-Temperature, CMC-Lined Carbon/Carbon Structures; Sample Acquisition and Handling System from a Remote Platform; Improved Rare-Earth Emitter Hollow Cathode; High-Temperature Smart Structures for Engine Noise Reduction and Performance Enhancement; Cryogenic Scan Mechanism for Fourier Transform Spectrometer; Piezoelectric Rotary Tube Motor; Thermoelectric Energy Conversion Technology for High-Altitude Airships; Combustor Computations for CO2-Neutral Aviation; Use of Dynamic Distortion to Predict and Alleviate Loss of Control; Cycle Time Reduction in Trapped Mercury Ion Atomic Frequency Standards; and A (201)Hg+ Comagnetometer for (199)Hg+ Trapped Ion Space Atomic Clocks.

Source record↗

Graphene-Based Filtration Media for Spacecraft Potable Water Systems: An Early Investigation

Graphene-based materials have allowed fundamental advances in fields such as energy storage, electronics development, material science, optics, medicine, and water processing due to their unique two-dimensional structure, mechanical robustness, large surface, and high conductivity. However, little to no effort has been devoted to exploiting and studying these materials to develop new water technologies suited for spacecraft applications. One such application is the potential use of graphene-based materials as filtration media for reclaimed water. Therefore, studying the adsorptive performance of these new materials becomes crucial in identifying the opportunity to replace/upgrade state-of-the-art filtration media currently used in space vehicles with water recovery capability; especially if consumable requirements can be lessened as a result of extended filtration capacity. This early Life-Support-Systems investigation pioneers in graphene research by testing a number of graphene-based materials in comparative adsorption and antimicrobial experiments where contaminant removal efficiency, maximum adsorption capacity, and bacterial reduction are probed. This preliminary investigation informs on the practicality of using graphene-based materials as filtration media and provides a discussion on the scaling-up and optimization of this prospective filtration technology for spacecraft potable water systems.

graphene↗

Tracing the Source of Carbon Oxides on the Large Moons of Uranus

The Uranian moons Ariel, Umbriel, Titania, and Oberon are enriched in CO 2 mixed with CO, but the origin(s) of these carbon oxides, be they primarily native or radiolytic, remain(s) uncertain. Using data collected by NIRSpec on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), we measured the spectral signature of CO 2 and other carbon oxides to help disentangle these hypotheses. Through comparison to laboratory data, we find that many of the detected spectral features are consistent with CO 2 ice, including 12 CO2 scattering peaks (4.15–4.26 μm), multilobe 13 CO 2 bands (4.35–4.43 μm), and CO 2 biphonon and triphonon modes (4.80–5.25 μm). Our measurements show that CO 2 and CO are concentrated on the trailing hemispheres of the inner moons Ariel and Umbriel, potentially supporting a radiolytic production hypothesis, consistent with prior ground-based results. However, many of the identified spectral features are only observed in thick crystalline ice deposits measured in the laboratory, which may be difficult to form via radiolysis of carbon-bearing material mixed in icy regoliths. Similarly, the data exhibit weak 4.02 and 4.40 μm bands, hinting at the presence of carbonate minerals and 13 CO 2 clathrates, respectively, possibly formed in the interiors of these moons. Furthermore, JWST has revealed that CO 2 is widespread at Uranus, present in its system of rings, ring moons, and irregular satellites, consistent with its largest moons accreting CO 2 and other carbon oxides from the Uranian subnebula. We conclude that exposed carbon oxides are potentially native, with their surface distributions shaped by charged particle irradiation and seasonal sublimation–condensation cycles.

Ice spectroscopy↗

The Nature of Interstellar Organics and Their Relationship to the Solar System

Carbonaceous materials are a primary compo-nent of interstellar dust, forming in the outflow of carbon stars and the diffuse interstellar me-dium (DISM). Over time, the low density DISM is swept into dense molecular clouds, the principal formation sites and repositories of most interstellar molecules. Organic com-pounds created in these clouds are the first step towards the complex materials that help to make planets habitable. Ground- and space-based telescopic observations trace interstellar organics from the diffuse to dense interstellar clouds, revealing that organic material in the diffuse ISM is predominantly hydrocarbon in nature, possessing little N or O, with the C distributed between the aromatic and aliphatic forms. A remarkable similarity between the hydrocarbons in dust in our Galaxy to that of distant galaxies, indicates that this organic component of the DISM is widespread and may be an important universal reservoir of prebiotic organic carbon. Spectroscopy of background stars seen through quiescent dust in clouds with no star formation activity re-veals that chemistry occurs early-on. Mean-while, observations of certain asteroids, com-ets, interplanetary dust particles, planets and planetary satellites present an intricate inter-weaving of preserved interstellar components and those that have been subsequently altered. The composition ofinterstellar dust grains and the evolution of dust between dense clouds (where stars and planetary systems form) and the diffuse inter-stellar medium (where stardust components are ejected), will be presented in this workshop on Carbon in the Solar System.

Intersteller Organics↗

Constraints on the Composition of Trojan Asteroid 624 Hektor

We present a composite spectrum of Trojan asteroid 624 Hektor, 0.3-3.6 microns, which shows that there is no discernible 3-micron absorption band. Such a band would indicate the presence of OH or H2O- bearing silicate minerals, or macromolecular carbon-rich organic material of the kind seen on the low-albedo hemisphere of Saturn's satellite Iapetus (Owen et al. 2000). The absence of spectral structure is itself indicative of the absence of the nitrogen-rich tholins (which show a distinctive absorption band attributed to N-H). The successful models in this study all incorporate the mineral pyroxene (Mg, Fe SiO3, the composition of hypersthene), which matches the red color of Hektor. Pyroxene is a mafic mineral common in terrestrial and lunar lavas, and is also seen in Main Belt asteroid spectra. An upper limit to the amount of crystalline H20 ice (30-micron grains) in the surface layer of Hektor is 3 weight percent. The upper limit for serpentine, as a representative of hydrous silicates, is much less stringent, at 40 percent, based on the shape of the spectral region around 3 gm. Thus, the spectrum at 3 gm does not preclude the presence of a few weight percent of volatile material in the surface layer of Hektor. All of the models we calculated require elemental carbon to achieve the low geometric albedo that matches Hektor. This carbon could be of organic or inorganic origin. By analogy, other D-type asteroids could achieve their red color, low albedo, and apparent absence of phyllosilicates, from compositions similar to the models presented here.

Cruikshank, Dale P.↗

Development of Lyocell Based Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablators (PICA-D) for Future NASA Missions

Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA) is a low-density ablator that has been used as the planetary entry heatshield for several NASA missions since 1999. Due to the obsolescence of the input fiber source, new PICA materials were developed using Lyocell, a domestic rayon fiber source. Results are presented from this effort. Manufacturing included fiber conversion, fabrication of tile component and near net shaped heatshield preforms, and conversion to PICA materials. Thermal, mechanical, and representative environment arc-jet testing have been conducted. Initial testing indicates comparable performance with respect to heritage PICA material, and likely "drop-in" replacement for future NASA mission needs.

Thermal Protection↗

Development of Lyocell Based Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA-D) for Future NASA Missions

Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA) is a low-density ablator that has been used as the planetary entry heatshield for several NASA missions since 1999. Due to the obsolescence of the input fiber source, new PICA materials were developed using Lyocell, a domestic rayon fiber source. Results are presented from this effort. Manufacturing included fiber conversion, fabrication of tile component and near net shaped heatshield preforms, and conversion to PICA materials. Thermal, mechanical, and representative environment arc-jet testing have been conducted. Initial testing indicates comparable performance with respect to heritage PICA material, and likely "drop-in" replacement for future NASA mission needs.

thermal protection↗