TPS

What a German Start-Up's First Test Could Mean for the Space Industry

A German start-up has completed a test of an inflatable heat shield, the first European and first private such operation. Inflatable heat shields represent the cutting edge of thermal protection systems, potentially holding the key to truly low-cost and democratized access to space. What does this test mean for the industry?

Sierra Space: Dream Chaser

Sierra Space is a commercial space company that spun off from the Sierra Nevada Corporation in 2021. It is developing the Dream Chaser spaceplane, a reusable lifting body spacecraft that shares many similarities with the historic Space Shuttle program.

The Exploration Company: Ablative Heat Shield for Nyx

The Exploration Company is a European aerospace firm founded in July 2021 by CEO Hélène Huby and a team of engineers with backgrounds in major programs like ESA's Orion-ESM and ATV. Headquartered in Germany, France, and Italy, the company aims to democratize space access through reusable technology, focusing on cargo transport to orbital stations and lunar missions. This background profile gives an overview of The Exploration Company and the heat shield it has chosen for its Nyx Capsule.

Webinar: Heat Shields in an Increasingly Commercial Space Industry

Thursday 8 May 2025 - Surviving the Heat, Heat Shields for Atmospheric Re-Entry in an Increasingly Commercial Space Industry; Outline the role and function of TPS; Delineate the key categories of TPS, from tile-based systems to ablators and hypersonic expandable decelerators; Examine the key requirements of TPS, from a technical and economic perspective, as well as emerging use-cases; Give a brief outlook for the market over the next decade

The Reusable Thermal Protection Systems Material Development Pathway

Innovation map of the reusable thermal protection systems (TPS) material development pathway.

Are Heat Shields the Key to Unlocking the Space Economy?

The space economy is growing rapidly, driven by commercial operations with lower costs. Thermal protection systems enable spacecraft to endure the extreme environments of atmospheric entry, but how will developments in this industry impact the broader space economy?

ATMOS Space Cargo GmbH: Phoenix

ATMOS Space Cargo GmbH is a German aerospace company developing Phoenix, a low Earth orbit capable capsule that will use an inflatable aerodynamic decelerator (IAD) to withstand the atmospheric heating during re-entry. ATMOS intends to use this capability to enable space manufacturing.

Varda Space Industries

Varda Space Industries is a private American space research company headquartered in California and founded in 2021. The company designs, builds, and flies spacecraft to perform pharmaceutical operations in microgravity of low Earth orbit. It is one of a handful of private space companies to have successfully returned an object from low Earth orbit (along with SpaceX and Boeing).

Introduction to Thermal Protection Systems for Spacecraft

The space industry is changing, with emerging private companies seeking to commercialize space travel. This has implications for material design and selection. Thermal protection systems (TPS) are a key component that protect spacecraft during entry, descent, and landing. This premium article introduces the need for TPS and some of the key developments in reusable tile-based systems.

Plantic Technologies

Plantic Technologies specializes in creating sustainable packaging solutions derived from renewable resources like corn starch. Its bioplastic materials provide an eco-friendly alternative to conventional plastics, offering good barrier properties for food packaging. Committed to reducing environmental impact, Plantic continues to advance biopolymer technology for a greener future.

Trinseo: Bioplastics

Trinseo, a global materials solutions provider and manufacturer of plastics, latex binders, and synthetic rubber, was established in 2010 following a carve-out from Dow Chemical Company. The company produces a range of bioplastics including thermoplastic polyolefins and ABS.

Bioplastics Technology Readiness Level

Innovation roadmap for the report 'Bioplastics 2023-2033: Technology, Market, Players, and Forecasts'.