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Case Studies
/ Amorim Thermal Protection System in NASA’s Test

Amorim Thermal Protection System in NASA’s Test

Cork TPS in NASA’s BOLE DM-1 Artemis Booster Test

Amorim Cork Solutions’ lightweight cork TPS debuts in NASA’s BOLE DM-1 static fire, protecting next-gen Artemis boosters bound for the Moon and beyond. Case Studies

Overview

On June 26, 2025, Northrop Grumman conducted the first full-scale static fire test of NASA’s next-generation solid rocket booster for the Space Launch System (SLS) — the Booster Obsolescence and Life Extension (BOLE) motor — at its Promontory, Utah facility. Known as DM-1 (Demonstration Motor-1), this was the first of four planned test firings to validate design changes and performance improvements.

Amorim Cork Solutions supplied a cork-based Thermal Protection System (TPS) used on the BOLE solid rocket motor. The TPS is designed to safeguard critical components from extreme heat and erosion during operation.

Mission Context

BOLE, developed by Northrop Grumman for NASA’s Artemis program, is the next-generation solid rocket booster that will help power missions to the Moon and, later, to Mars. It is planned for integration into Artemis launch vehicles, operated by NASA and launched by United Launch Alliance (ULA), with the first flight targeted for 2029.

Compared to the current SLS boosters, BOLE introduces:

  • Composite motor cases (lighter, larger diameter)
  • Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) propellant for higher performance
  • Electronic thrust vector control (eTVC) replacing hydraulics
  • New insulation and nozzle designs to handle higher operating pressures

These changes aim to make BOLE one of the lightest and most powerful solid rocket motors ever built.

DM-1 Static Fire — Key Facts

  • Event: First of four planned BOLE static fires
  • Date & Time: June 26, 2025, 12:25 p.m. MDT (18:25 UTC)
  • Location: Northrop Grumman test site, Promontory, Utah
  • Length: ~156 feet (47.5 meters)
  • Thrust: Over 4 million pounds (single booster)
  • Burn Duration: ~2 minutes 20 seconds
  • Instrumentation: 700+ data channels

Teams observed a nozzle anomaly near the end of the burn, but the test achieved its main objectives, providing critical data to guide design refinements ahead of qualification.

ACS Contribution

ACS’s cork-based TPS in BOLE supports the booster’s goal of achieving maximum performance with minimum mass, a key factor in making BOLE one of the lightest and most powerful solid rocket motors ever built.

Low density with high ablation performance for thermal shielding, where every pound counts toward payload capacity

Sustainably sourced from nature while delivering aerospace-grade performance.

Proven track record in extreme aerospace applications, including previous NASA missions

“Designing a thermal protection system for an application like this means pushing every material to its limit. What’s remarkable is how cork continues to prove its performance in some of the most extreme environments. Being part of a project that supports NASA’s next-generation launch systems is a privilege and a clear validation of our engineering work and material science.”

Sofia Paixão - Global Technical Manager at Amorim Cork Solutions

Strategic Impact

This first DM-1 firing confirms that cork-based solutions can withstand the most demanding thermal and erosive conditions in heavy-lift launch systems. With BOLE moving into subsequent testing and refinement, ACS’s TPS is positioned to support NASA and ULA’s deep space exploration missions starting in 2029.

“This project is a milestone — not just in terms of aerospace innovation, but also in showing the world what cork can do. Seeing our solution perform successfully in such a demanding application sends a powerful message to our customers and partners: cork is not just sustainable, it’s high-performance. It opens doors to new markets, new applications, new conversations, and new levels of trust. We look forward to further supporting the BOLE project throughout its continued development and upcoming important missions.”

Jonathan Bluhm, Global Sales Director at Amorim Cork Solutions

What’s Next

Following DM-1, Northrop Grumman and NASA will analyze the collected data, implement design adjustments, and proceed to the next three planned static fires under varying conditions — ambient, cold, and hot.

For ACS, this means continued engagement in qualification testing, ensuring our cork TPS is ready for integration into flight hardware for Artemis V and beyond.

Watch the Test Firing

Experience the power of BOLE DM-1 in the official recorded live demo.

Watch the video on YouTube

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