Lockheed Martin Corporation

Edward Nathan Harris

Daniel R Morgenthaler

Slade H Gardner

Suraj Prakash Rawal

David M Barnett

William H Willcockson

Edward A Pierson

Janine M Thornton

Michael A Sasdelli

Michael G Thornton

Kenneth P Romeo

Edward Allen Pierson

Slade Havelock Gardner

A carbon nanotube-based thermal gasket for space vehicle applications, and process for making the same, is disclosed. A thermal gasket is created that includes one or more free-standing carbon nanotube (CNT) sheets formed of a CNT composition comprising randomly-oriented CNTs and a thermally-conductive resin material. The thermally-conductive resin material is encased within the one or more free-standing CNT sheets and prevented by the one or more CNT sheets from physical contact with an outer side of the thermal gasket.

Carbon nanotube based thermal gasket for space vehicles

An integrated sample return capsule for use in returning materials to Earth from space, such as core samples from other celestial bodies and experiments from orbiting platforms. The sample return capsule incorporates thermal protection, structural integrity and impact mitigation into a single system capable of safely and securely returning the materials without requiring decelerating parachutes. In one embodiment, the integrated sample return capsule includes a forward facing heat shield and a back shell attached to the rear of the heat shield. The heat shield and the back shell define an interior enclosure. The back shell includes an access, such as a door or a removable panel, there through to the interior enclosure. Materials to be returned may be sealed in a sample containment vault, and the sealed vault may be placed into the interior enclosure through the access. An optional support deck may be provided within the interior enclosure for receiving the sample containment vault and supporting the vault within the interior enclosure.

Integrated sample return capsule

Modular and multifunctional structure

Growing community of inventors

Littleton, CO, United States of America

Edward Nathan Harris