Collaboration is the key to a strong content discipline – NASA

NASA desperately needs advanced materials and processes (M&P) in the realms of robotic- and crewed spaceflight, as well as aeronautics, especially when one recognizes that all craft must be made of something. To meet this need, the content discipline relies on collaboration—both between centers and across disciplines. Leverage each center’s specific M&P expertise, cross-training between centers, and routine interaction with more than 20 agency disciplines such as structures, space environment, and payloads and dynamics to advance the agency’s Moon to Mars objectives. Will need to talk. When a discipline touches all classes of content; All aspects of design, manufacturing, testing, and operations; And at all stages of flight, collaboration is the only way to widen and deepen its reach.

This year, Materials TDT received broad center and discipline support for the VIPER lunar rover, the ISS Russian PrK crack probe, the X-59 supersonic aircraft, and the SLS program. He also leveraged his pollution control experience to assist commercial staff and Orion programs. Below are some additional highlights from the year.

Collaboration between disciplines

Ms. Alison Park, NASA Deputy Technical Fellow for Materials, applied for JPL support to investigate anomalous temperature readings during thermal vacuum testing of NASA’s Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Artificial Aperture Reader. Led a multidisciplinary team of NESC to resolve (NISAR) imaging hardware, which has already been integrated into the spacecraft in India. The team provided detailed reviews of thermal models and construction record specifications reflecting material testing and reflection. The team’s work identified operability concerns over the expected temperatures that would be seen during the multi-day deployment process. The hardware was decommissioned from the spacecraft and returned to the United States for design upgrades and modifications to address new concerns. The hardware is now set to return to India for re-integration and final launch preparations.

Promoting inter-centre collaboration

Mr. Robert Carter, NASA Deputy Technical Fellow for Materials and GRC Deputy Division Chief participated in the technical exchange between GRC and MSFC. The exchange revealed the need for an agency-wide, materials-driven alloy development plan that would identify key requirements that would benefit spaceflight and aeronautics. From there, content representatives from 7 of the 10 centers met in person to develop a roadmap and plan to be rolled out in FY25. Materials TDT has also established an Alloys Development Community of Practice to provide a low-level mechanism for identifying cross-agency requirements, technical challenges, and benefits identified by program or mission directorate. Not done inside.

Leveraging NASA Partnerships

Dr. Brian W. McInerney, NASA Technical Fellow for Materials, hosted European Space Agency (ESA) visitors for a joint tour of JPL, GRC, and KSC, as well as the co-hosted Worldwide Advanced Manufacturing Symposium. (WAMS) in Orlando, FL In-depth technical exchanges between NASA and ESA focus on advanced manufacturing, focusing on the needs of spaceflight. The event led to increased technical cooperation between the two organizations, leading to ESA’s request to NASA for a formal review of ESA’s stress corrosion standards. A joint NASA/ESA intern program was also initiated. Next year brings many new and exciting challenges, including an elevated temperature testing program focused on HallPetch effects in C-103 (niobium alloy), the home North American WAMS Symposium in Knoxville, TN, and continued intercenter technical assistance. attention And, always a key goal, the discipline will actively engage early career personnel in NESC assessments to learn from our experienced content experts and transfer knowledge unique to the space industry.