NASA Tests Fire-Resistant Webbings for Lunar and Martian Missions
NASA Tests Fire-Resistant Webbings for Lunar and Martian Missions
US · Published Aug 1, 2026
NASA has conducted flammability tests on commercial-off-the-shelf webbings to ensure their suitability for elevated oxygen environments in future lunar and Martian missions.
The tests, performed by the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC), focused on webbings composed of 60% Kevlar and 40% polybenzimidazole (PBI).

Impact & Risks

The development of fire-resistant materials is critical for ensuring astronaut safety in oxygen-enriched environments, which are planned to reduce prebreathe time before extravehicular activities. Failure to identify suitable materials could increase the risk of fire hazards during future lunar and Martian missions. The successful implementation of these webbings could serve as a foundation for safer softgoods flight hardware.

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