![PICA Heatshield](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/msl-4.5m-pica-heat-shield.png?w=525)
![Surface densification of PICA](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/surface-densification-of-pica.jpg?w=1024)
![TUFROC](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/tufroc.png?w=228)
Thermal Protection Materials Branch
The Thermal Protection Materials Branch is responsible for development of new and improvement of existing thermal protection materials, the methods and techniques for characterizing such materials, and the analysis and modeling required to understand the behavior of materials as well as to predict behavior and guide materials development for thermal protection systems (TPS). Thermal protection systems protect space vehicles from aerodynamic heating during entry to planet atmosphere and re-entry to earth atmosphere. The Branch combines experiment, fabrication, characterization, evaluation, analysis and modeling to support its goals. The Branch develops materials in-house and also collaborates externally to develop thermal protection materials.
Location
Moffett Field, CA
NASA
Ames Research Center
Branch Chief
Mairead Stackpoole
Deputy Branch Chief
Josh Monk
Focus Areas and Capabilities
![Thermal Protection Materials Design & Analysis](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/designanalysis.png?w=582)
Design and Analysis
![Arc Jet - Pica](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/pica-arcjet.jpg?w=449)
Testing and Fabrication
![HEEET Closeup](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/heeet-etu-closeup.jpg?w=1024)
Thermal Protection System (TPS) Materials Development
![MEDLI2 Instrumentation](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/medli2-instrumentation.png?w=1024)
Sensors for Flight and TPS Development
![Thermal Protection Materials Computational Materials](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/compmat.png?w=691)
Computational Materials
![TPSX Material Properties Database](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/tpsx3.png?w=1014)
TPSX Material Properties Database
![](https://images-assets.nasa.gov/image/jsc2022e043855/jsc2022e043855~large.jpg?w=1280&h=1920&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)
Projects: Human Exploration and Operations
![Meteoritic materials ablating in an arc heated wind tunnel](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/three-panes.png?w=1024)
Projects: Science
![PATO Simulator](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/pato.jpg?w=499)
Projects: Space Technology
Partnering with Us
The Thermal Protection Materials Branch fosters mutually beneficial commercial partnerships through Space Act Agreements in accordance with the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 and the Commercial Space Launch Act of 1984. Partnerships with other government agencies through Military Interdepartmental Purchase Requests or interagency agreements are also fostered. Interested parties may contact the branch chief at margaret.m.stackpoole@nasa.gov.
Learn More About The Entry Systems & Technology Division![NASA Ames Entry Sign](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/nasaames-entrysign-001.jpg?w=1024)
![NASA meatball](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/nasa-logo-web-rgb.png?w=1024)