NASA debuts new foldable carbon fabric heat shield

Known as ADEPT ( Adaptable Deployable Entry Placement Technology), the device could replace the rigid plastic aeroshell heat shields that are currently used to protect space vehicles on atmospheric entry. Whereas traditional aeroshells gradually degrade in layers to protect vehicles from temperatures of around 3,000°C, ADEPT uses a flexible carbon fabric skin to deflect this heat. What’s more, the fabric can be folded up like an umbrella around its more rigid deployment system of ribs and struts, allowing much larger heat shields to be deployed within existing rocket systems. According to NASA, the technology could enable larger missions to Venus, Mars or Titan.

“Carbon fabric has been the major recent breakthrough enabling this technology, as it utilises pure carbon yarns that are woven three-dimensionally to give you a very durable surface,” said Paul Wercinski, ADEPT project manager at NASA’s Ames Research Centre in California’s Silicon Valley. “Carbon is a wonderful material for high temperature applications.”