NASA Ames Research Center

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About NASA Ames Research Center

NASA Ames Research Center has 3 experiments on the X-37: DurAFRSI Thermal Protection System (TPS) flight experiment; RSI Leading Edge TPS flight experiment; and Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM) flight system experiment.

x37

Durable Advanced Flexible Reusable Surface Insulation (DurAFRSI) is a TPS material consisting of ceramic blanket insulation with a thin metallic outer skin, which provides the potential for increased impact resistance and a smooth outer surface. Flight testing a DurAFRSI TPS panel will provide thermal, aerodynamic, and operational environment data. The goal of the experiment is to raise the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) by exposure of a multi-panel array of DurAFRSI TPS to the environment provided by the X-37. This flight test specimen will be approximately 8 inches by 16 inches and 1 inch thick. It is surrounded by 1 inch ceramic tile, similar to the tile system on the Shuttle Orbiter. There is no curvature. It is bonded to a 0.09 inch thick aluminum carrier plate, which is installed into a “failsafe: experiment holder that is recessed into the vehicle allowing the test panel to be flush with the vehicle surface. The experiment is located in the aft side location of the vehicle. The DurAFRSI Test Article will be delivered to Boeing before the end of calendar year 2001.