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X-Aerogel thermal protection for Space Shuttle. Area(s) of Significant Benefit Safety Performance Sustainability Operations Infrastructure . Technologies and Capabilities

preston-mitchell
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  1. X-Aerogel thermal protection for Space Shuttle Area(s) of Significant Benefit Safety Performance Sustainability Operations Infrastructure • Technologies and Capabilities • X-Aerogel:polymer cross-linked, mechanically strong aerogels are a new NASA GRC technology • Experience with different cross-linkers • Experience with cross-linking aerogels other than silica • Methodology for composite aerogels that do not need supercritical fluid extraction • Experience with forced-flow wash processing • Cross-linked tiles will be more impact resistant. • TRL (3-4) will be overcome by collaborating with the Ames, Langley and JPL aerogel teams in a ONE NASA effort, leveraging accumulated operational aerogel experience through the STARDUST, Sojourner, and MER programs • Description • Aerogels are the lowest density man-made materials, but are considered mechanically weak • New state of Matter: X-Aerogel -- Polymer cross-linking increases the strength of those materials by over two orders of magnitude • Develop and test safer structural components for the Space Shuttle, based on polymer cross-linked aerogels • Explosion-proof aerogel-filed tires • Mechanically strong and hydrophobic insulation with excellent cryogenic resistant properties • Mechanically stronger and hydrophobic tiles by polymer cross-linking POC, Cost, Schedule and Maturity Benefits Obsolescence Reduction Risk Reduction Safety Improvement Cost Reduction Process Improvement Other Operations Improvement Performance Enhancement • TRL 3 to 4 Aerogel • POC: Nicholas Leventis (PI) 216-433-3202, James C. Johnston and Mary Ann Meador, GRC • X-Aerogel is 300x stronger only 3x denser than silica • Improved safety with little or no increase in mass • Criticality 1 Failure Rate reduction of 1.5%

  2. X-Aerogel thermal protection for Space Shuttle • Total Project Costs: $80M • Feasibility: 12 months, $2.0M • Formulation:12 months, $5.0M • Implementation: 12 months, $13 M; $20M per Shuttle • Project Submitted by the GRC Aerogel Team: Nicholas Leventis, PI 216-433-3202; James C. Johnston and Mary Ann Meador. Note: Supplemental Information attached in MS Word document

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