Description: Bally Ribbon Mills will demonstrate the proposed novel weaving technique and produce a one-piece spider weave for the ADEPT aero-shell. NASA AMES has been working with Bally Ribbon Mills for several years on the Adaptable Deployable Entry and Placement Technology (ADEPT). To date the ADEPT test articles have been made with 3D woven flat broad cloth which is cut and sewn into the desired shape. BRM will use current equipment to demonstrate that a scaled down (or Sprite C sized) spider weave aero shell is feasible.

Benefits: The proposed technology for aeroshell manufacturing offers an innovative perspective on re-entry vehicles system, including the principles of design for manufacturability as key points to reduce mass, delivery time and costs of the final product. The deployable aeroshell concept will prove itself as a viable thermal protection system (TPS) for entry, descent and landing of future exploration class payload missions such as Venus and Mars. The proposed technology to manufacture aeroshell will allow each mission to utilize an aeroshell design that fits within existing launch vehicle systems and later transforms into a low ballistic coefficient configuration for descent and landing.

The proposed development of deployable aeroshell concept as a viable thermal protection system for entry, descent and landing will contribute to the National Space Program by providing test techniques and data that will help establish a sound technological foundation for the cost-effective design of future aerocapture space transfer vehicles. Reliable experimental methods will be essential to the success and cost effectiveness of future space missions. These novel capabilities will have a direct impact on the testing of new military and commercial concepts designed to improve efficiency and performance. The proposed technology can be applicable for commercial space industry such as applications to venture tourism, communications, and safely deploy scientific payloads to Saturn, Jupiter and Uranus.