Innovative Thermal Insulation Technologies

The MDA seeks innovative technologies for materials, processes, and manufacturing that will provide reliable, robust, and lightweight components for major space defense acquisition programs. The proposed STTR Phase I project will develop polyimide insulation materials that will protect sensitive cryogenic structures and subsystems from excessive heat buildup as result of direct solar heating, radiation from the earth's Aledo, or heating due to internal component radiation. Introduction of closed-cell polyimide SOLREX r materials will result in significant reductions in the weight of cryogenic insulation and high temperature Thermal Protection Systems (TPS). SOLREX materials typically demonstrate significant improvement in conductivity over traditional insulation materials. When specifically engineered to work with current integrated insulation systems, a marked reduction in thickness and overall weight will be realized. Therefore, with team partner Grand Valley State University, Sordal proposes to circumvent the current challenges associated with current TPS and provide greater mission flexibility by producing an insulation that will be 200% lighter (e.g. as low as 0.5 PCF), thermally stable from -260C to over +330C, non-flammable, non-toxic, will have a very high limiting oxygen index, and yet be very strong. Throughout the Phase I efforts, Sordal will actively work with system integrators for future demonstration efforts.