2,900
°C
MAX TEMPERATURE
5,250°F
0.05
W/m·K
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
0.27
KG/M³
DENSITY
50-60 mm
THICKNESS
TYPICAL
13.5 kg/m²
KG/M²
MASS PER AREA
4
VEHICLES
PROTECTED
THERMAL RATING
PICA (Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator) is a ablative thermal protection system by Fiber Materials Inc. / NASA Ames. Rated to 2,900°C. Status: Active.
ABOUT PICA (PHENOLIC IMPREGNATED CARBON ABLATOR)
PICA is a lightweight carbon ablator developed at NASA Ames Research Center that provides high-performance thermal protection at very low density. It was the primary heat shield material for the Stardust sample return capsule, which holds the record for the fastest reentry speed of any human-made object at 12.4 km/s. PICA served as the basis for SpaceX’s PICA-X.
THERMAL PROPERTIES
Material TypeAblative
Max Temperature2,900°C (5,250°F)
Thermal Conductivity0.05 W/m·K
AblativeYes
ReusableNo
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Density0.27 kg/m³
Thickness50-60 mm
Mass per Area13.5 kg/m² kg/m²
COMPOSITION
Phenolic resin infused into carbon fiber preform (FiberForm)
VEHICLES USING PICA (PHENOLIC IMPREGNATED CARBON ABLATOR)
Stardust
Mars Science Laboratory
OSIRIS-REx
Mars 2020 Perseverance
MISSION HISTORY
First MissionStardust
First FlightJanuary 15, 2006
ManufacturerFiber Materials Inc. / NASA Ames
StatusActive
