WICHITA, Kan., Feb. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA has selected
FMI, a subsidiary of Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE: SPR), for a contract
providing thermal protection systems (TPS) to support several
emerging missions under the Science Mission Directorate: Mars
Sample Return (MSR) Earth Entry Vehicle; MSR Sample Return Lander;
and Dragonfly. Each of these projects require ablative TPS
materials for ground testing and flight.
"The team is thrilled to be the supplier of these TPS materials
to NASA and to support these exciting missions," stated
Steve Violette, Spirit/FMI Senior
Scientist, Application Engineering. "Not only will this result in
the first samples ever returned from Mars, but it will also feature
a game-changing technology that will enable more challenging
missions for years to come."
Dragonfly is a planned mission in the New Frontiers Program
scheduled to launch in 2027. Dragonfly will send a robotic
rotorcraft to the surface of Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, to
study chemistry and habitability. FMI manufactures a material
called PICA for the Dragonfly spacecraft's heat shield that will
enable it to enter Titan's atmosphere. PICA is a proven (TPS)
material which has supported several NASA missions including
Stardust, Mars Science Lab and the Curiosity Rover, OSIRIS REx, and
Mars 2020, which is currently on the way to Mars and scheduled to
land in February 2021.
Mars Sample Return (MSR) is a multi-spacecraft mission designed
to return samples from Mars. The Mars 2020 spacecraft, protected by
its PICA heatshield, will land the Perseverance rover on Mars
surface. The Perseverance rover will accomplish several scientific
missions, including the collection of samples for MSR. The MSR
mission will require two vehicles to return with samples. Under the
NASA contract, FMI will supply the TPS materials for both
spacecraft which includes PICA and a new innovation called 3MDCP
(formerly HEEET) that FMI helped NASA develop.
"Our team has spent a year and a half establishing the
capabilities to support TPS production for NASA's exploration
missions. As TPS Project Manager, I see the contract award is the
culmination of all that hard work," says Taylor Franklin, Spirit/FMI Project Engineer.
"It is acknowledgment of the trust NASA has placed in us to deliver
the highest quality products required for these missions."
For more information on these missions visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/
About Spirit AeroSystems:
Spirit AeroSystems is one of
the world's largest manufacturers of aerostructures for commercial
airplanes, defense platforms, and business/regional jets. With
expertise in aluminum and advanced composite manufacturing
solutions, the company's core products include fuselages,
integrated wings and wing components, pylons, thrust reversers and
nacelles. Also, Spirit serves the aftermarket for commercial and
business/regional jets. Headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, Spirit has facilities in the
U.S., U.K., France, Malaysia and Morocco. More information is available
at www.spiritaero.com.
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SOURCE Spirit AeroSystems