New Heat Shield Developed to Protect Next-Gen Reusable Spacecraft During Reentry

Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Sierra Space Corporation have created an advanced heat shield, inspired by 1980s Space Shuttle technology, to protect reusable spacecraft during reentry.

Challenges of Atmospheric Reentry and Advances in Heat Shield Technology

Earth’s atmosphere poses a significant challenge for returning spacecraft, burning up objects without protective measures.

While most current heat shields rely on ablative phenolic plastics, which sacrifice themselves during reentry, NASA’s Space Shuttle introduced a reusable option: ceramic silicon carbide tiles. These absorbed heat and released it slowly, making them reusable but fragile, labor-intensive to produce, and prone to detachment.

Sierra Space’s Advanced Heat Shield Tiles for the Dream Chaser

Sierra Space’s new tiles improve on this design, combining silicon carbide with carbon fibers for enhanced durability, strength, and aerodynamic stability.

Modern manufacturing methods reduce production complexity, paving the way for higher launch frequencies. These tiles will debut on the Dream Chaser, a winged commercial spaceplane for transporting crew and cargo to low-Earth orbit.

“The key to rapid flight turnaround is reusability of the thermal protection system,” said ORNL’s Greg Larsen. “Our materials push the limits of reusability, making space access commercially viable.”

Read Original Article: New Atlas

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