Metallic TPS (BlueTPS - ACO)

Completed NASA Game Changing Development project led by Langley Research Center with Ames Research Center and Blue Origin to advance reusable metallic thermal protection systems for atmospheric re-entry vehicles. The work revisited X-33-era metallic TPS designs using modern materials and fabrication methods, including GRX-810 and additive manufacturing, and matured design, prototyping, materials testing, and panel testing toward lower-cost inspection, refurbishment, and rapid launch turnaround.