Materials and Design Optimization for Thermal Protection System (TPS)
- Paper number
IAC-05-C2.3.06
- Author
Mr. Stefano Bietto, University of New Orleans, United States
- Coauthor
Prof. David Hui, University of New Orleans, United States
- Coauthor
Prof. Leo Daniel, University of California at Berkeley, United States
- Year
2005
- Abstract
Continued drive to improve the efficiency of Thermal Protection System (TPS) designs not least in the area of materials and weight are gaining momentum after the recent Columbia Space Shuttle disaster. Here, the concept of TPS materials including hybrid structures with an optimized design is presented taking into consideration the high requirements of re-entry conditions. The interaction of material behavior and design is discussed. Beyond design problems, through-thickness atmospheric heating analyses necessary to realize the behavior of TPS in re-entry conditions are presented. It is shown that three important factors, i.e. a favorable selection of materials, design optimization and highly accurate through-thickness atmospheric heating analyses; have been the basis of successful development of thermally stable lightweight TPS structure. The structural design approach aims at classifying thermal protection system with their thermo-mechanical properties and thermal-adhesive characterizations. This classification is achieved through the definition of various TPS structures, assuming different structural configurations and materials concepts development. One of the materials that offer promising application is CMC-composites (e.g. C/C, C/SiC, SiC/SiC). The advantages of these composites are low density, low thermal expansion, high strength, and damage tolerance.
- Abstract document