Description:
TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Space Platforms
The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 5.4.c.(8) of the solicitation and within the AF Component-specific instructions. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. Please direct questions to the AF SBIR/STTR Contracting Officer, Ms. Gail Nyikon, gail.nyikon@us.af.mil.
OBJECTIVE: Develop a hypersonic materials testbed for characterization of multiple types of novel reentry materials.
DESCRIPTION: This topic seeks to develop a testbed for characterization of novel materials for use on orbital or sub-orbital reentry vehicles. Of particular interest are self-healing materials, which may include (but are not limited to) carbon/ceramic matrix materials, embedded microcapsules, materials with changeable geometries and/or chemistries to allow changing ablation rates and variable luminescence, and the ability to control air domain velocity to facilitate ablative response. Approaches for designing this testbed may include the use of novel materials, reentry test platforms with variable geometries, or other innovative methods.
PHASE I: Develop preliminary design for a novel reentry material testbed. Simulate expected self-healing properties or novel signatures under ballistic re-entry conditions (3000C+, high dynamic force, and dissociated air), thermodynamic material models of the ceramic/composite ablation process, or self-healing tailorable/controllable ablation materials (compatible with extant computational fluid codes).
PHASE II: Build, test, and deliver a prototype reentry material testbed. Demonstrate self-healing properties or novel signatures under ballistic re-entry conditions (3000C or above, high dynamic force, mega Joule heating rates and dissociated air), thermodynamic material models for the ablation process of ultrahigh temperature ceramics, ceramic composite materials and self-healing materials, and/or materials that allow for tailorable/controllable ablation.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Technology developed under this topic can advance both military and civilian atmospheric reentry systems. Possible applications of this technology include hypervelocity vehicle research, human space crew rescue, and next-generation reusable launch vehicles.
REFERENCES:
- Raj, Sai V., Singh, Mrityunjay, & Bhatt, Ramakrishna T.: “High Temperature Lightweight Self-Healing Ceramic Composites for Aircraft Engine Applications,” NASA Glenn Research Center; Cleveland, OH United States.
- Mühlratzer, A. and Pfeiffer, H. (2002) CMC Body Flaps for the X-38 Experimental Space Vehicle, in 26th Annual Conference on Composites, Advanced Ceramics, Materials, and Structures: A: Ceramic Engineering and Science Proceedings, Volume 23, Issue 3 (eds H.-T. Lin and M. Singh), John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ, USA.
KEYWORDS: reentry systems, plasma physics, novel materials, ablation models
