Northrop Grumman's Cygnus spacecraft is atop Antares rocket lifts that took place Feb. 20, 2021. It was there to deliver science and cargo to NASA on its 15th commercial resupply service mission. NASA CreditsOak Ridge National Laboratory researchers 3D printed a thermal shield (or TPS) for a capsule to launch with Cygnus' cargo spacecraft. This is part of the International Space Station supply mission. This will be the first time that an additively produced TPS has been launched into space.NASA scientists collaborated with scientists to create materials that can withstand the extreme temperatures experienced when objects reenter into the atmosphere. The TPS protects the capsule, which is about the same size as a basketball. It was created by the University of Kentucky to test entry system technologies.Greg Larsen, ORNL, stated that this is a chance to fly with new materials. "Additive manufacturing allows automated, rapid production and opens new design possibilities for spacecraft using lightweight materials."The capsule has sensors that can record and transmit data to monitor performance. It is expected to return to Earth before 2021.NASA researchers created a 3D printed thermal shield for protection against heat, as part of a cargo spacecraft that is bound for the International Space Station. The shield was created at ORNL's Department of Energys Manufacturing Demonstration Facility. Credit: ORNL. U.S. Dept. Energy
