Thermal material solutions

Astrium has begun investigating several new metallic thermal protection system concepts for reusable launch vehicles.

Based on the experience gained during the U.S. Space Shuttle program, a goal for future reusable launch vehicles (RLV) was defined as one that drastically reduces cost (by one order of magnitude) of delivering payloads to low-Earth orbit. A significant contribution to that cost reduction can be accomplished by a reusable thermal protection system (TPS), which is not only lightweight but also durable and operable.

The most promising way to reduce the overall system cost is to minimize the effort for maintenance and repair of the TPS. Currently, more than 17,000 work hours are spent to refurbish the Space Shuttle's TPS after each flight.