Thermal Protection System Materials for Sample Return Missions

White, Todd R.; Hwang, Helen; Ellerby, Don; Beck, Robin A.; Gasch, Matthew J.; Kam, Jeremy Vander; Venkatapathy, Ethiraj

doi:10.3847/25c2cfeb.72d83582

Cited by 5 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Based on these modifications in the processing route, we manufactured HARLEM samples by impregnating the preform specimens with a mixture of the chemicals used, gelating the resin phase in the presence of the solvent, and finally removing the solvent (Figure 1a). 12 All samples were produced with an apparent density of 0.27 g/cm 3 , and the phase containing phenolic resin was well distributed within their volume, as confirmed by optical microscopy (Figure 1b).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 66%

“…15 The average recession rate measured was 48 µm/s. The stagnation-point cold-wall heat flux was obtained from the plasma wind tunnel experiments, and the apparent density of HARLEM was 0.27 g/cm 3 . Using these values in Eq.…”

Section: Harlem Performance In Arcjet Experimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1,2 At entry velocities greater than 11 km/s, ablative heat shields are typically used for thermal protection due to the extreme heat fluxes spacecraft have to withstand. 3 A thorough understanding of the mechanisms combined under the term ablation and of how they impact the performance of heat shields is key for optimizing thermal protection systems and reducing the risks involved in the most challenging space missions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Carbon-phenolic ablators are the state-of-the-art ablative materials and have frequently been chosen for thermal protection systems of discovery missions. 3 They are able to dissipate large amounts of heat by ablation and, due to their high carbon content, by radiation re-emission. 4,5 To assess the performance of ablative materials and study their complex interaction with high enthalpy flows, researchers replicate atmospheric entry conditions in plasma wind tunnels.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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HARLEM: A carbon–phenolic ablator for scientific exploration

Poloni,

Grigat,

Eberhart

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Space exploration missions rely on ablative heat shields for the thermal protection of spacecraft during atmospheric entry flights. While dedicated research is needed for future missions, the scientific community has limited access to ablative materials typically used in aerospace. In this paper, we report the development of the HEFDiG Ablation Research Laboratory ExperimentMaterial (HARLEM), a carbon–phenolic ablator designed to supply the need for ablative materials in laboratory experiments. HARLEM is manufactured using polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fiber preforms and a simplified processing route for phenolic impregnation. We characterized the thermal protection performance of HARLEM in arcjet experiments conducted in the plasma wind tunnel PWK1 of the Institute of Space Systems at the University of Stuttgart. We assessed the performance of the new material by measuring surface recession rate and temperature using photogrammetry and thermography setups during the experiments, respectively. Our results show that HARLEM’s thermal protection performance is comparable to legacy carbon–phenolic ablators that have been validated in different arcjet facilities or in-flight, as demonstrated by calculations of the effective heat of ablation and scanning electron microscopy of as-produced samples. In-house manufacturing of carbon–phenolic ablators enables the addition of embedded diagnostics to ablators, allowing for the acquisition of data on internal pressure and more sophisticated pyrolysis analysis techniques.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 66%

Section: Harlem Performance In Arcjet Experimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

HARLEM: A carbon–phenolic ablator for scientific exploration

Poloni,

Grigat,

Eberhart

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Spacecraft entering planetary atmospheres experience high aerothermal loads and require dedicated thermal protection systems 1 , 2 . At entry velocities greater than 11 km/s, ablative heat shields are typically used for thermal protection due to the extreme heat fluxes spacecraft have to withstand 3 . A thorough understanding of the mechanisms combined under the term ablation and of how they impact the performance of heat shields is key for optimizing thermal protection systems and reducing the risks involved in the most challenging space missions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An open carbon–phenolic ablator for scientific exploration

Poloni,

Grigat,

Eberhart

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

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Space exploration missions rely on ablative heat shields for the thermal protection of spacecraft during atmospheric entry flights. While dedicated research is needed for future missions, the scientific community has limited access to ablative materials typically used in aerospace. In this paper, we report the development of the HEFDiG Ablation-Research Laboratory Experiment Material (HARLEM), a carbon–phenolic ablator designed to supply the need for ablative materials in laboratory experiments. HARLEM is manufactured using polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fiber preforms and a simplified processing route for phenolic impregnation. We characterized the thermal protection performance of HARLEM in arcjet experiments conducted in the plasma wind tunnel PWK1 of the Institute of Space Systems at the University of Stuttgart. We assessed the performance of the new material by measuring surface recession rate and temperature using photogrammetry and thermography setups during the experiments, respectively. Our results show that HARLEM’s thermal protection performance is comparable to legacy carbon–phenolic ablators that have been validated in different arcjet facilities or in-flight, as demonstrated by calculations of the effective heat of ablation and scanning electron microscopy of as-produced samples. In-house manufacturing of carbon–phenolic ablators enables the addition of embedded diagnostics to ablators, allowing for the acquisition of data on internal pressure and more sophisticated pyrolysis analysis techniques.

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