Firm’s shield could save astronauts

Geocent, a Metairie, La.-based information technology and engineering firm, has spent years developing new, high-tech coating to protect astronauts and equipment from harmful radiation in space. The technology is headed to the International Space Station (ISS) for testing. The tests, to be overseen by NASA, will also explore how the coating could keep astronauts alive, and equipment functioning, in deep space travel. In addition, NASA will test a separate thermal barrier coating developed by Geocent and its partners. That coating could one day protect parts of NASA’s latest multi-billion-dollar rocket from extreme heat. “It’s really some extraordinary technology that we feel is a major breakthrough,” Bobby Savoie, Geocent’s Chairman/CEO told NOLA.com June 18. “Our tests on the International Space Station will tell us whether we’re correct or not.” For decades, NASA built its rockets and modules at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans East. Michoud’s latest project is the Space Launch System (SLS), a new mega-rocket designed to take humans into deep space. Officials aim to land astronauts on the moon in 2024. Geocent, a subcontractor of the Boeing Co. - and the lead manufacturer of the SLS program - has been heavily involved in the rocket’s designs, stress testing and analysis, and 3-D modeling to make sure rocket parts are built to precise specifications. (Source: NOLA.com 06/19/19)