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Home > company > Research > Advanced Thermal Protection Systems

All aerospace launch vehicles include a thermal protection system (TPS). The TPS supplied by Albany International includes materials designed to absorb the stress and strain of launch and re-entry, while also protecting many areas of the vehicles from exposure to excessive temperatures.
These reusable materials include flexible, thermally protective textile felts originally developed by Albany International and NASA for the Space Shuttle Orbiter Program.

As the sole source supplier of these flexible, nonwoven needled products for the current fleet of Space Shuttle Orbiters, Albany's materials are used in a variety of TPS applications covering nearly the entire vehicle surface. These materials are flexible, coated felts designed as strain isolators, thermal barriers, and insulators.


Albany International's thermal protection materials are produced by textile manufacturing technology incorporating a variety of high-temperature fibrous materials. The manufacturing process allows Albany to engineer end-use requirements into conformable felts, including moisture absorbency/repellency, weight, specialty fibers for broad temperature ranges, thermal stabilization and coatings for surface enhancement, and environmental exposure characteristics. The Orbiter materials are specified for many aerospace vehicle applications and derivative products are specified on reusable launch vehicles as well as on commercial jet and business aircraft.

The established quality management system requirements of ISO 9002 and AS 9000, the aerospace quality systems, confirm the expectations for quality products supplied by Albany International to the aerospace industry.

Moisture Control
(Download product sheet below.)

SIP (Strain Isolator Pad)
SIP is a flexible, coated TPS felt pad, typically used in conjunction with the vehicle tile TPS system. This product is delivered to the customer as uniquely identified pieces traceable to qualifying test data. The product is available in a variety of thicknesses. (Download product sheet below.)

FRSI (Felt Reusable Surface Insulation)
FRSI is a flexible thermal blanket, heat treated felt, surface coated on one side. This product is installed as continuous panels for use in vehicle areas which can withstand up to 800ºF. Each piece is uniquely identified and traceable to qualifying test data. The product is available in many thicknesses. (Download product sheet below.)

Filler Bar
Filler Bar is a flexible, continuous strip of TPS felt, surface coated on one side with a silicone film, installed in arrays of varying widths to accommodate tile placement. This product is delivered to the customer as narrow strips, cut to customer-required widths. Each piece is uniquely identified and traceable to qualifying test data. The product is available in many thicknesses.

Please contact us at +1.603.330.5800 and ask to speak with a Business Development Representative.

 Product Sheets
SIP+Product+Sheet+4-8-03.pdfSIP+Product+Sheet+4-8-03
Moisture+Control+Felt+Product+Sheet+4-8-03.pdfMoisture+Control+Felt+Product+Sheet+4-8-03
FRSI+Product+Sheet+4-8-03.pdfFRSI+Product+Sheet+4-8-03
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