TAI recently delivered several of our Graphite Fiber Thermal Straps (GFTS®) to NASA and Lockheed Martin (LMCO), to be used on future flight missions on the Artemis program. The lightweight, highly conductive straps are used to cool the data acquisition systems manufactured by LMCO, and TAI has delivered several hundred GFTS® models to both LMCO and Ball Aerospace in just the last few years. The straps provide vibration isolation and waste heat removal for both the LMCO DAQ's systems and the Phased Antenna Arrays manufactured by Ball on ORION and Artemis, and TAI and will be providing GFTS® and our next gen PyroFlex® graphite sheet straps to both programs later this year as well.
Pictured (right): 3 GFTS units wrapped in mylar sleeves and installed in shipping fixtures.
The Artemis Program
There will be a number Artemis missions, but one of the main goals is to land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon. NASA will also use innovative technologies to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before. As part of this historic program, NASA will collaborate with commercial and international partners to establish the first long-term presence on the Moon. It is hoped that the information and experience gained from this program will prepare NASA for the next phase of space exploration; sending astronauts to the surface of Mars.
Many people ask why America should bother going back to the moon at all. The answer is simply that these new missions to the Moon will birth scientific discoveries, economic benefits, and maintain American leadership in exploration...all of which will "build a global alliance and explore deep space for the benefit of all."
Pictured: the first launch of Artemis on November 16, 2022
Stay tuned for more pictures and updates on ORION and Artemis, as we deliver dozens of graphite straps later this summer and fall!
The team at TAI would like to thank NASA and LMCO for their continued business, and we look forward to providing more straps for these important programs.