Terahertz computed tomography of NASA thermal protection system materials | Zendy

Don J. Roth | Zendy; S. Reyes-Rodríguez | Zendy; David Zimdars | Zendy; Richard W. Rauser | Zendy; Warren Ussery | Zendy

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Terahertz computed tomography of NASA thermal protection system materials

Author(s) -

Don J. Roth,

S. Reyes-Rodríguez,

David Zimdars,

Richard W. Rauser,

Warren Ussery

Publication year - 2012

Publication title -

aip conference proceedings

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Conference proceedings

SCImago Journal Rank - 0.177

H-Index - 75

eISSN - 1551-7616

pISSN - 0094-243X

DOI - 10.1063/1.4716278

Subject(s) - terahertz radiation , computed tomography , space shuttle thermal protection system , tomography , crew , materials science , space shuttle , optics , thermal protection , aerospace engineering , physics , optoelectronics , engineering , composite material , radiology , aeronautics , medicine

A terahertz (THz) axial computed tomography system has been developed that uses time domain measurements in order to form cross-sectional image slices and three dimensional volume renderings of terahertz-transparent materials. The system can inspect samples as large as 0.0283 m3 (1 ft3) with no safety concerns as for x-ray computed tomography. In this study, the THz-CT system was evaluated for its ability to detect and characterize 1) an embedded void in Space Shuttle external fuel tank thermal protection system (TPS) foam material and 2) impact damage in a TPS configuration under consideration for use in NASA's multi-purpose Orion crew module (CM). Micro-focus X-ray CT is utilized to characterize the flaws and provide a baseline for which to compare the THz CT results.

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