Hybrid Structure Concept for Winglet Design

Reusable Metallic Structures is an ESA program dedicated to the study of hot structures for re-entry vehicles, approached with innovative materials and methods. In this paper one of these studies is presented, involving the development of the wing section of an X-38 shaped body designed as ceramic/metallic integrated hybrid structure. Design of metallic and ceramic components is described focusing on the thermo-mechanical aspects which brought to the current configuration. This minimizes deformations and then better prevents injection of plasma into the wing. Preliminary data on components manufacturing and planned test activities for the near future are presented and discussed.