SLA-561V [virgin]

Name: SLA-561V [virgin]
Database: NASA Ames Thermal Protection Materials
Category: Silicon-Based Ablators
Composition: N/A
Manufacturer: N/A
Technical Readiness Level: N/A
Last Modified: 1996-08-01

Description:

  • Silicone based ablator incorporating a reinforcing honeycomb manufactured by Lockheed Martin and used as the primary heatshield for the Mars Viking Missions. Sla-561V consists of a mixture of silicone, silica microballoons, corks and silica glass fibers. This mixture is then injected into the phenolic honeycomb cells. <BR><BR> SLA-561V was also baselined as the forebody heatshield the Mars/Pathfinder probe which is scheduled to be launched in December 1996 and arriving at the martian surface in July 1997. The main difference between the SLA-561V fore Viking and Mars/Pathfinder is the size of the honeycomb cells and the heat shield thickness. The Mars/Pathfinder uses a smaller honeycomb cells and has a thickness of 0.75 in. The increase in thickness is necessary because the peak heating rate on Mars/Pathfinder is predicted to be around 120 Btu/sqft-s with stagnation pressure of 0.25 atm.

Point of Contact:

  • Frank S. Milos
  • NASA Ames Research Center
  • fmilos@mail.arc.nasa.gov

Pictures:

Properties at Standard Conditions
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Property Value Units Uncertainty Source STP Reference Last Modified Additional Data
Density 1.65e+01 lbm/ft^3 N/A unknown assumed/assumed 2006-01-05
Thermal Conductivity (Isotropic) 9.50e-06 Btu/ft-s-R N/A unknown TRUE 2006-01-05
Specific Heat 2.77e-01 Btu/lbm-R N/A unknown TRUE 2006-01-05
Emissivity 0.7 - N/A unknown assumed/assumed 2006-01-05
Effective Heat of Ablation 2.33e+04 Btu/lbm N/A unknown nonstp* 2006-01-05
Volume Fraction of Resin 0.0 - N/A unknown assumed/assumed 2006-01-05

Notes:

  • N/A

Property References:

  • N/A

General References:

  • 1. H.K. Tran, et al.: Ames Research Center Mars/Pathfinder Heat Shield Design Verification Arc jet Tests:NASA internal report, NASA TM to be published:Mar. 15, 1995:TPSX Ref. #64.
  • 2. H.K. Tran, et al.: Ames Research Center Shear Test of SLA-561V Heat Shield Materials for Mars/Pathfinder:NASA internal report, NASA TM to be published:17-May-94:TPSX Ref. #65.
  • 3. W.M. Congdon: SLA-561V Thermal Ablation Model: Sensitivity Study of Model Parameters:Applied Research Associates, Inc.:Oct. 1994:TPSX Ref. #66.