High Temperature Graded-Z Thoraeus Structures for Directed Energy Threats

The U.S. Space Force (USSF) has identified a need for cost effective hardware to defend against Directed Energy (DE) weapon threats.  While kinetic energy threats could be evaded with high-speed maneuverability and novel geometries, future fighter jets and space satellites must evade energy beams traveling at the speed of light.  Additionally, space-based systems must survive varied levels of harsh galactic cosmic rays (GCR) and solar energetic protons (SEP) depending on their orbital trajectory.  For this program, NanoSonic shall produce a radiation durable and DE resilient shield for satellites to perform in space, spacecraft, and DE threat environments.  Feasibility exists as Thoraeus Structures reduce the absorbed dose from 1 GeV Fe by twice that of low-Z while maintaining mechanical properties upon 50-year low earth orbit (LEO) simulated radiation (214 Gy, 1 GeV proton and 1 GeV Fe).  Thoraeus structures shall be combined with NanoSonic’s hypersonic thermal protection systems (TPS) and tested in a simulated combined space and DE threat environment as lightweight, cost-effective and oxidation resistant alternatives to carbon-carbon composites.  We have partnered with Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL PSU) High Energy Laser Effects Lab, Brookhaven National Laboratory’s NASA Space Radiation Lab (BNL NSRL) and Lockheed Martin Space.