 |
Ceramic Composites Help Repair Space Shuttle
 Ceramic Composites Help Repair Space Shuttle 4/7/2008 Starfire Systems (Malta, NY) has once again contributed materials technology that could provide NASA astronauts technical options for repairing large damage to the wing leading edge thermal protection system. The Large Area Repair (LAR) kit includes a flexible fiber reinforced ceramic panel, the LAR cover plate, based on Starfire’s polymer ceramic technology.
Current technologies for
on-orbit repair include mechanical attach methods that accommodate small holes
up to four inches in diameter, and NOAX sealant for repair of small cracks and
gouges. This technology has been successfully demonstrated in orbit by NASA
under simulated conditions for small damage repair. The LAR cover plate employs the use of patented silicon carbide forming polymers to create a flexible ceramic wrap designed to conform to the curvature of the Shuttle’s leading edge. The ceramic wrap has been demonstration at the Boeing St. Louis arc jet facility where it wss tested under simulated entry conditions up to 2700F. Starfire materials technology
has also been applied to repair solutions such as NOAX, a paste-like sealant
that is used to repair composite substrate exposed from wing leading edge or
nose cap damage. NOAX is now carried on all shuttle missions for small heat
shield crack repairs, and the system was successfully demonstrated for repair
of simulated damage during a July 12, 2006 spacewalk. << Back to News |
|
Join Now | My Profile | Calendar | Contact Us | Site Map | |
|
