NASA Ames Test Heat Shield Samples for Spaceship Crew Capsule

John Bluck May 11, 2006
NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.
Phone: (650) 604-5026 / 9000
E-mail:

MEDIA ADVISORY: 06-28AR

NASA AMES TESTS HEAT SHIELD SAMPLES FOR SPACESHIP CREW CAPSULE

As it streaks into Earth's atmosphere after a trip to the moon, the
heat shield of NASA's spaceship of the future must endure searing
temperatures capable of melting any metal.

Initial tests of materials that could be used in the heat shield for
the new spaceship, the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV), were recently
completed at NASA Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley.

News media are invited to Ames' arc jet facility, Bldg. N234, on
Thursday, May 18, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. PDT to see small heat shield
samples that engineers tested in an apparatus that NASA engineers
describe as a 'room-size blowtorch.' The initial testing at Ames is
part of the advanced development activity needed to create a heat
shield for the CEV crew capsule. At 10:30 a.m. PDT, there also will
be short presentation in the arc jet facility, where the tests were
conducted.

NASA is working to create and test the 16.5-foot (5-meter) diameter,
Frisbee-shaped heat shield that will be attached to the base of the
cone-shaped CEV crew capsule. The shield must protect the capsule and
its astronaut crew from the searing heat that develops during flight
through the atmosphere when returning from either low-Earth orbit, or
from the moon.

The tests are among the first steps NASA Ames is taking to design and
test a new space exploration system that will return human beings to
the moon and support later missions to Mars. Several other NASA
facilities across the nation also are taking part in the development
effort.

WHAT: Opportunity to view CEV heat shield materials, see a
presentation about the arc jets in which the materials were tested
and view the arc jet facility, which resembles a room-size blow
torch. Reporters may also interview NASA Ames scientists and
engineers.

WHEN: A tour of the Ames arc jet facility, Bldg. N234, will be held
on Thursday, May 18, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. PDT. A short presentation,
including projected images, will be at 10:30 a.m. PDT.

WHO: George Sarver, who leads Ames CEV support office, will
participate in interviews with the media. James Reuther of NASA Ames,
the project manager for the CEV Thermal Protection System, Advanced
Development Project, and engineers also will be available to speak
with reporters.

WHE NASA Ames arc jet complex, Bldg. N234. News media
representatives who wish to attend the arc jet tour should report to
Ames' Visitor Badging Office, located at the Ames main gate. To reach
Ames, take the Moffett Field exit off Highway 101 and drive east to
the main gate and Visitor Badging Office.

Publication-size images related to the CEV capsule's heat shield
material testing are available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/mul...ev_arcjet.html

Additional information about NASA's effort to develop a new spaceship
is on the World Wide Web at:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/ex...ain/index.html

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