Close-up of Worker with Avcoat Gun
Each Avcoat-filled cell in the heat shield’s honeycomb structure is inspected by a robotic X-ray scanner. Once the Avcoat application is complete, the heat shield will be machined, sealed, primed, and finally painted before it is shipped to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida for installation on the Orion crew module.
Engineer with Avcoat Gun
Textron engineer Anthony Cudia demonstrates the caulk-gun-like tool that is used to inject Avcoat into the honeycomb cells. Cudia originally helped develop the gun for NASA’s Apollo program.
Close-Up of Orion Heat Shield’s Honeycomb
The fiberglass honeycomb is bonded to the heat shield and provides structural reinforcement to the ablative Avcoat material so it doesn’t crack. Engineers have designed the heat shield to withstand extreme temperatures during re-entry as well as the impact of ocean splashdown.
Finished and Unfinished Honeycomb Compared
This view shows a bare honeycomb structure and one that has been filled with Avcoat using Textron’s “gunning” process.
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.
