NASA Tests 12 Capsules Carrying Heat Shield Materials During Cygnus Re-entry

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) conducted the "KREPE-3" experiment aboard Northrop Grumman's 24th Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft after its detachment from the International Space Station.

The experiment includes 12 small capsules carrying candidate materials for heat shield manufacturing, which separate from the spacecraft during its burn upon re-entry into the atmosphere and transmit live performance data.

Among the materials undergoing testing are a 3D-printed shield, carbon-phenolic "MERINO" covers, a tungsten-lined double-cone design, and a "Dragonfly"-shaped "PICA" capsule. The experiment is a collaboration led by the University of Kentucky, whose students designed the capsules, with the participation of the EPSCoR program and several NASA centers, including Ames Research Center.

The safety of spacecraft during atmospheric re-entry relies on heat shields that protect the payload from friction and high temperatures, a technology that serves both crewed and cargo missions. This development concerns companies involved in manufacturing spacecraft and their components, as the test results will determine which materials move to production.

What Do These Terms Mean?

Heat Shield: A layer that protects the spacecraft from extreme heat resulting from friction with the air during atmospheric entry.

Measurement Capsule: A small container carrying a material sample and sensors that transmits its readings during the flight, used to test new materials without putting the entire spacecraft at risk.

Atmosphere: The gaseous layer surrounding Earth, which heats up intensely when any object enters it at high speed.

Carbon-Phenolic Material: A composite of carbon fibers and phenolic resin used in heat shields for its ability to ablate and absorb heat instead of transferring it to the spacecraft.