Quest Completes IMLI Fabrication for NASA’s NEOS Space Telescope
Quest Completes IMLI Fabrication for NASA’s NEOS Space Telescope
At Quest Thermal Group, we thrive on innovation—pushing boundaries in thermal insulation technology to support the future of space exploration. Today, we’re excited to share a major milestone: the successful fabrication of Integrated MultiLayer Insulation (IMLI) for NASA’s and Ball Aerospace’s Near-Earth Object Surveyor (NEOS) space telescope.
A Critical Mission for Planetary Defense
NEOS is a game-changer for planetary defense. Designed to detect and characterize asteroids and comets within 30 million miles of Earth’s orbit, this space telescope will provide early warning of potential threats and contribute to NASA’s mission of protecting our planet. It’s an ambitious project—one that demands precision engineering and advanced thermal solutions.
How IMLI helped NEOS
IMLI exceptional thermal properties ensure stable operating temperatures for sensitive detectors, optics, and communication systems. IMLI, our advanced thermal insulation using Discrete Spacer Technology (R), has 2.5-fold lower heat flux per layer than netting-MLI, and it’s stiff, robust, bonded structure has the structural capability to span large distances on the sunshield for the NEOS spacecraft. Quest’s IMLI delivers higher thermal performance (lower heat flux), lower mass, fewer layers, greater durability, and outstanding predictability.
IMLI panels were custom engineered to insulate the spacecraft, with zero-heat penalty IMLI panel seams. Special thermal modeling of the sunshield and orbital solar heating led Ball Aerospace and JPL engineers to recommend a novel one-surface reflector be used in certain locations.
What’s Next?
NEOS is undergoing testing. Quest Thermal Group will support testing as NEOS prepares for its scheduled launch in September 2027. We’re honored to play a small part in bringing this new space telescope to fruition.
Stay tuned for updates as NEOS moves closer to liftoff!