Methodology and Results of Catalycity and Plasma Erosion Tests on FEI Components

A Flexible External Insulation (FEI) is being developed for the thermal protection of spaceplanes and re-entry capsules. Presently, forward extension of the FEI to locations of higher aerothermal loads is being studied. To evaluate the FEI under simulated re-entry conditions a test campaign has been planned and performed by the Rarefied Gas Dynamics Laboratory of the Russian Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI). Coated and non-coated FEI fabrics were exposed to a hypersonic high-enthalpy air flow in the VAT-104 plasma wind tunnel.