Smaaart task order: task title: boeing lcat ARC-jet test in support of flexible TPS evaluation and development 1.0 introduction/background: in support of the hypersonic inflatable aerodynamic…

Smaaart task order: task title: boeing lcat ARC-jet test in support of flexible TPS evaluation and development 1.0 introduction/background: in support of the hypersonic inflatable aerodynamic decelerator (hiad) projects flexible systems development (FSD) flexible thermal protection system (ftps) technical development area, the NASA langley research center (larc) engineering group is researching flexible thermal protection system (TPS) materials systems for application on future planetary entry spacecraft. The boeing, ST. Louis, large core ARC tunnel (lcat) facility can produce relevant flight-like conditions of heat flux, surface pressure, and shear force on coupon size (approximately 4 by 6) flexible TPS samples for several flight trajectories of interest. NASA intends to build upon the work that was previously done under msfc contract NNM08AA01B, evaluation of flexible thermal protection system (TPS) materials systems for NASA langley in boeing s large core ARC tunnel (lcat), which was a series of tests in summer of 2011 that successfully demonstrated lcat facility performance over the desired range of conditions and the successful acquisition of relevant data on and in the TPS test samples. Specific ftps coupons need to be ground tested in flight relevant conditions. Ftps has evaluated hundreds of TPS samples at several conditions over the last three years. The series of tests described in this statement of work (SOW) defines the attributes of relevant test environments needed in the boeing lcat ARC-jet test facility. Testing will then be conducted in the defined test environments that are more relevant flight conditions, to evaluate performance of contemplated flexible TPS materials and material systems. 2.0 scope / objective(s): the scope of this task order is to build upon the msfc contract NNM08AA01B, and encompasses flexible TPS testing that will utilize the lcat test facility for 10 to 16 weeks of total test time at four specific test conditions simulating relevant test environments. Three of the test conditions were developed during the testing completed under the msfc contract, and a new, fourth test condition will be developed and calibrated during the series of testing outlined in this SOW. The specific objectives for this task order are as follows: objective one: evaluation of flexible TPS layups at flight-like conditions simulating the inflatable reentry vehicle experiment (irve) - 3 max heating point (heat flux ~ 18W/CM2, pressure ~ 6KPA). Objective two: evaluation of flexible TPS layups at flight-like conditions simulating the high energy atmospheric reentry test (heart) max-max point (heat flux ~ 27W/CM2, pressure ~ 8KPA). Objective three: evaluation of flexible TPS layups at flight-like conditions simulating a higher heat flux entry condition of 50W/ CM2 (heat flux ~ 50W/CM2, pressure ~ 3KPA). Objective four: evaluation of flexible TPS layups at flight-like conditions simulating a higher heat flux entry condition of 50W/ CM2 and a higher entry pressure than the condition of objective three (heat flux ~ 50W/CM2, pressure ~ 6KPA). 3.0 description of the work/tasks to be performed: the contractor shall accomplish specimen tests on flexible TPS specimens provided by NASA. Most of the test specimens will have active pressure measurements and thermocouples for temperature measurements. Msds will be made available on all materials upon request, with the understanding that low technology readiness levels (TRL) (developmental polyimides and materials) material safety data sheets (msds) may not exist (GFI 5.1) appropriate model holders will be required for this series of tests (GFP 6.2). The specimen holders will accommodate mounting features contained on the NASA larc flexible TPS specimens and the calibration plate. The specimen holders shall be designed robustly enough to withstand the desired test environment for the anticipated test