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Air Force Taps SpaceX to Investigate High-Capacity Manufacturing Tech for Thermal Protection Systems

SpaceX
SpaceX

Air Force Research Laboratory has awarded an $8.5 million contract to SpaceX to enhance manufacturing technologies used to produce hypersonic-capable thermal protection systems, Space News reported Monday.

The company will conduct a study on production methods and material science for the development of new TPS, which would protect hypersonic vehicles from the heat of extremely fast flights. The systems typically serve as a layer of protection for spacecraft during atmospheric reentry.

The multipurpose thermal protection systems for hypersonics effort aims to allow for low-cost and high-volume production of a multipurpose TPS, AFRL said Friday in a SAM notice.

The laboratory also plans to test the use of 3D printing and other advanced manufacturing technologies for the production of hypersonic-capable TPSs.

California-based SpaceX provides TPS-equipped spacecraft for U.S. space missions, including NASA's Commercial Resupply Services program.

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Written by Nichols Martin

a staff writer at Executive Mosaic, produces articles on the federal government's technology and business interests. The coverage of these articles include government contracting, cybersecurity, information technology, health care and national security.

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