Secondary Aerogel Experiment on STS-95 to Test Microgravity Produced Aerogels

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April 28, 1999: Huntsville, AL Secondary Aerogel Experiment on STS-95 to Test Microgravity Produced Aerogels - Aerogel experiments on STS-95 were primarily aimed at helping produce a clear aerogel, a goal that has been described as "the holy grail" of aerogel researchers. While data analysis on that experiment is still underway, the results of a secondary experiment — aimed at helping produce high-performance thermal protection for reusable launch vehicles — are currently being processed further for testing.

In this experiment, 16 samples of carbon-based aerogels were flown for the Southern Research Institute. All the samples solidified in microgravity and were and were formulated to form a solid gelon the third day of the mission. The material was processed on the ground and produced material that will be tested. While the results of the tests on its thermal protection capabilities will not be available for some time, the production of the carbon-based aerogel helped provide another important step forward for this unique material.