Space Officials Outline Key Investments Needed to Ensure U.S. Maintains Edge
Friday, 24 May 2024 20:22
Exploring the potential for life on Europa through iron snow
Friday, 24 May 2024 20:22
SpaceX launches U.S. spy satellites from California
Friday, 24 May 2024 20:22
Preligens secures AI analytics contract with new APAC customer
Friday, 24 May 2024 20:22
Astronomers measure the spin of a supermassive black hole for the first time
Friday, 24 May 2024 20:22
NASA selects instrument for solar study on ESA mission
Friday, 24 May 2024 20:22
Sunspot Formation Explained by Solar Physicists
Friday, 24 May 2024 20:22
ESA and EU Strengthen Information Security Agreement
Friday, 24 May 2024 20:22
The origin of the sun's magnetic field could lie close to its surface
Friday, 24 May 2024 20:22
NASA, IBM Research to Release New AI Model for Weather, Climate
Friday, 24 May 2024 20:22
Satellite-Based Hyperspectral Sensors Enhance Monitoring Capabilities
Friday, 24 May 2024 20:22
NASA and Boeing moving ahead with Starliner test flight after propulsion issues
Friday, 24 May 2024 17:58

3D-MAT, a thermal protection material for the Artemis Generation
Friday, 24 May 2024 16:24
The 3-Dimensional Multifunctional Ablative Thermal Protection System (3D-MAT) is a thermal protection material developed as a critical component of Orion, NASA's newest spacecraft built for human deep space missions. It is able to maintain a high level of strength while enduring extreme temperatures during re-entry into Earth's atmosphere at the end of Artemis missions to the moon.
3D-MAT has become an essential piece of technology for NASA's Artemis campaign that will establish the foundation for long-term scientific exploration on the moon and prepare for human expeditions to Mars, for the benefit of all.
The 3D-MAT project emerged from a technical problem in early designs of the Orion spacecraft. The compression pad—the connective interface between the crew module, where astronauts reside, and the service module carrying power, propulsion, supplies, and more—was exhibiting issues during Orion's first test flight, Exploration Flight Test-1, in 2014.
NASA engineers realized they needed to find a new material for the compression pad that could hold these different components of Orion together while withstanding the extremely high temperatures of atmospheric re-entry.