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Bally Ribbon Mills recognized with NASA award
August 14th, 2023
Orion spacecraft flight in space orbiting Earth. Elements of this image furnished by NASA. Bally Ribbon Mills has developed a 3D Orthogonally woven 3DMAT Quartz Material for the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) compression pads. Developed through their partnership with NASA, it has been named the 2023 NASA Government Invention of the Year. The award demonstrates […]
Sensor to monitor muscle atrophy is fabricated
April 24th, 2023
Researchers at Ohio State University have fabricated a wearable sensor designed to detect and monitor muscle atrophy. A condition involving the loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, muscle atrophy can happen for a variety of reasons, but is typically a side effect of degenerative disease, aging or muscle disuse. While physicians currently rely on […]
New spacesuit is built for moonwalking
March 27th, 2023
This new Artemis III spacesuit prototype, the AxEMU, will have additional outer layers that will be the familiar all-white color when the suit is worn by NASA astronauts on the Moon’s surface. Photo: Axiom Space. As NASA selected Axiom Space to deliver a moonwalking system for the Artemis III mission, the company participated in activities […]
NASA seeks inquiries and ideas with its new Launchpad
February 27th, 2023
NASA is now seeking procurement ideas and solutions to encourage innovation from diverse perspectives, improve reach, reduce barriers and ultimately meet and exceed agency goals. The NASA Acquisition Innovation Launchpad (NAIL), managed by the agency’s Office of Procurement, is now online, and submissions of inquiries and ideas will be accepted on a rolling basis. “This new […]
NASA to test centrifugal force satellite launcher
April 25th, 2022
SpinLaunch's kinetic launch facility at Spaceport America, New Mexico, has completed sub-orbital test launches with exit velocities over 1,000 mph. Image: SpinLaunch. NASA has agreed to test SpinLaunch's technology, designed to launch a satellite into space at hypersonic speeds with an electric centrifuge instead of a rocket. The company says that modern carbon fiber is […]
NASA heat shield features a new design architecture
December 13th, 2021
NASA's ADEPT heat shield features a 3D seamless woven material from Bally Ribbon Mills. Photo: NASA. by Debra Cobb Heat shields are a critical part of vehicles for space exploration, enabling science payloads to safely pass through the atmosphere of distant worlds. NASA’s deployable heat shield design called ADEPT (Adaptable, Deployable, Entry and Placement Technology) […]
Breakthroughs in textiles for the aerospace market
July 12th, 2021
Astronaut Nicholas Patrick participates in the STS-130 mission's third and final spacewalk as construction and maintenance continue on the ISS. Photo: NASA. New fibers and composite technologies offer high-tech solutions in Space exploration. by Marie O’Mahony In Space, from the needs of humans to rocket engines, advanced textiles are providing some of the most effective solutions […]
PPE on earth and beyond
December 7th, 2020
NASA astronaut Anne McClain works on the International Space Station's Port-4 truss structure during a six-hour, 39-minute spacewalk to upgrade the orbital complex's power storage capacity. Photo: NASA. Spacesuits and medical protective apparel share the challenges of functionality and wearability. by Marie O’Mahony A recent webinar series, “From PPE to Spacesuits” sought to help participants […]
Serious about soft goods
October 7th, 2019
Presentations at IFAI Expo’s Advanced Textiles Conference explain textiles’ critical role in NASA’s missions. by Janet Preus NASA was among the exhibitors that also served as presenters at IFAI Expo in Orlando last week. In two presentations—an Advanced Textiles Conference education session, and a shorter, more informal “campfire” on the show floor— NASA representatives stressed […]
The aerospace market
July 12th, 2019
As NASA sets a course for Mars and a return to the moon, and private companies engage in a new space race, textile companies find opportunities for high-performance fabrics and products. by Amy Goetzman When does a single lemon cost $2,000? When it’s in space. NASA reports that it costs about $10,000 in fuel to […]