X-Ray Micro-CT Reveals Structural Decay Patterns in NASA Spacecraft Heat Shields

By Prabhat Ranjan Mishra · Interesting Engineering · 2026-09-25

X-Ray Micro-CT Reveals Structural Decay Patterns in NASA Spacecraft Heat Shields

According to Interesting Engineering, a decade-long partnership between NASA and the Advanced Light Source has yielded a new method for observing how superlight ablators withstand temperatures of 1,652 degrees Fahrenheit. Researchers utilized AI-enhanced X-ray imaging to monitor

According to Interesting Engineering, a decade-long partnership between NASA and the Advanced Light Source has yielded a new method for observing how superlight ablators withstand temperatures of 1,652 degrees Fahrenheit. Researchers utilized AI-enhanced X-ray imaging to monitor