PROJECT APN001

Polymer Matrix Composite Thermal Protection Liners 

Space vehicles can experience temperatures exceeding 3,000°C during launch and atmospheric re-entry. A common solution is to use carbon phenolic composites – a substance made of layers of carbon fibre fabric held together by a special plastic glue.

UQ has been pioneering high temperature ceramic and polymer matrix composite applications in Australia for some time. And Gilmour has been readying its Eris rocket for its maiden launch – Australia’s first orbital rocket system.

As a result, this collaborative project is seeing the development of cost-efficient, sovereign high-temperature materials using polymer-based ablative materials, potentially leading to a new cost-effective solution for protecting space launch vehicles and spacecraft against extreme heat and pressure.

ACM CRC Research Programs

• RP2 - Manufacturing Processes
• RP3 - Simulation and Performance Prediction
• RP4 - Design and Integration
  

Project Partners

• Gilmour Space Technologies
• The University of Queensland (UQ)

Project Leaders

• James Suttor - Gilmour Space Technologies
• Associate Professor Michael Heitzmann - UQ

Year commenced

2023

The Australian space technologies sector is in growth phase, with Gilmour Space leading the way in launch vehicles. Partnering with Gilmour Space and ACM CRC on this project is an exciting next step for us – and for the manufacturing industry – as we work together to make space technology more accessible and cost-competitive.