Lockheed Martin is a built heat shield that has the purpose of protecting against the extremes of space travels. Without this shield, the mission can be compromised. So a lot of tests have been made for the hardware structure of the heat shield, and the final examination finally validated the structure. At the most recent test, the heat shield was exposed to flight-like thermal conditions.
The heat shield will be part of the aeroshell that Lockheed Martin will build. The aeroshell will carry NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Mars 2020 rover from Earth through the Martian atmosphere.
In 2020, Mars will be the target of the challenging mission. Lockheed Martin has produced for NASA ten aeroshells by now, but this one will be the largest (4.5 meters) in diameter, and it has to be flawless because it will reach 19.300 kph (12.000 mph). Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that deals with the research, designs, development, and manufacture of advanced technology systems.
Critical Milestone Test for the Mars 2020 Rover Heat Shield Completed
The company has conducted the static test on April 25 and had the purpose of mimicking all the things that happen on the journey. For simulating the best conditions of the mission, they have used vacuum pumps to stimulate the pressure of 140.000 pounds on the structure, they have pushed the limit of the structure, and they have integrated the instrumentation. The instrumentations were extensometers to monitor structural response during loading, and the Photogrammetry tool from NASA.
Moreover, a set of digital cameras was used to monitor any changes in the test and with the fully used photogrammetry technique, they have succeeded in the first implementation of proper flight hardware by now. This won’t stop here, because Lockheed Martin will also use Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA) for the thermal protection to the structure. After that and after all the tests are completed, the heat shield will be paired with the back shield.
Jasmine holds a Master’s in Journalism from Ryerson University in Toronto and writes professionally in a broad variety of genres. She has worked as a senior manager in public relations and communications for major telecommunication companies, and is the former Deputy Director for Media Relations with the Modern Coalition. Jasmine writes primarily in our LGBTTQQIAAP and Science section.