NASA Langley Research Center, MS 144, Industry Assistance Office Hampton, Va. 23681-0001

99 -- DEVELOPMENT AND FABRICATION OF METALLIC THERMAL PROTECTION SYSTEM PANELS POC NASA Langley Research Center, Industry Assistance Office, Mailstop 144, Hampton, VA 23681-0001. Participants are being sought to participate in the development and fabrication of improved light-weight metallic Thermal Protection System (TPS) panels for Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) applications. Present metallic TPS panel designs consist of Inconel 617 honeycomb sandwich panels for the outer surface, titanium honeycomb sandwich panels for the inner surface, thin gage Inconel 617 side closures and various types of multilayer fibrous insulation. The TPS panels have face sheets, core walls, and side closures that are made from thin gage (0.002 to 0.005 ''thick'') foil materials. The task will consist of developing fabrication techniques and fabricating TPS panels using the present or modified designs. Design modifications may include new attachment methods, new insulation, new closure designs, and different shape panels. State-of-the-art fabrication techniques with thin gage metal foil materials will be required to fabricate some of the panels with single and multicurvature and with various planform shapes such as square and hexagonal. LaRC is highly interested in those participants having experience in the development of innovative fabrication techniques for thin gage foil structures. Any participant wishing to respond to this announcement should provide company literature and/or publications relevant to the aforementioned technology and a summary of the participants prior related work in the fabrication of state-of-the-art thin gage foil structural components. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. Respondents deemed fully qualified will be considered in any resulting solicitation for the requirement. Firms responding should indicate whether they are a socially or economically disadvantaged business firm, an 8(a) firm, a small business, and/or woman-owned business. The Government reserves the right to consider a small business set-aside, or 8(a) set-aside based upon responses hereto. Closing date for submission of responses is 14 days from date of publication. In responding reference SS236. (0216)

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