Mars 2020 transport / entry aeroshell

Spirit AeroSystems’ subsidiary FMI has been awarded a contract to support Nasa’s deep space exploration missions.

According to the contract, FMI will provide thermal protection system (TPS) materials over the next five years.

The multiple missions under the Science Mission Directorate are Mars Sample Return (MSR) Earth Entry Vehicle, MSR Sample Return Lander, and Dragonfly.

The contract is valued at up to $24m and the FMI TPS materials will be used for ground testing and flight.

Spirit/FMI Application Engineering Senior Scientist Steve Violette said: “The team is thrilled to be the supplier of these TPS materials to Nasa and to support these exciting missions.

“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.”

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Scheduled for launch in 2027, Dragonfly mission aims to send robotic rotorcraft to the surface of Saturn’s largest moon Titan.

The MSR multi-spacecraft mission involves collecting and returning samples from Mars to earth.

For both missions, FMI will supply TPS materials that include PICA and 3MDCP that was developed by Nasa with support from FMI.

Spirit/FMI project engineer Taylor Franklin said: “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.

“It is an acknowledgement of the trust Nasa has placed in us to deliver the highest quality products required for these missions.”