AQ60I Tiles Direct-Bond for Huygens Titan Atmospheric Entry

For the HUYGENS probe heatshield, the direct-bond concept of thermal protection tiles on a structure carrying the mechanical loads was selected.

The very complex environment seen during entry through TITAN atmosphere requires a specific logic for the thermal protection mechanical verification, followed by the subsystem qualification.

The suitability of the HUYGENS thermal protection direct-bond on a CFRP sandwich structure for atmospheric entry is being demonstrated. It is the result of the capability of the “heated” TPS to withstand the strains generated by thermoelastic phenomena and by the carrying structure deformations (despite its large structural stiffness).