Reusable Metallic Thermal Protection Systems Development

Abstract

Metallic thermal protection systems (TPS) are being developed to help meet the ambitious goals of future reusable launch vehicles. Recent metallic TPS development efforts at NASA Langley Research Center are described. Foil-gage metallic honeycomb coupons, representative of the outer surface of metallic TPS were subjected to low speed impact, hypervelocity impact, rain erosion, and subsequent arcjet exposture. TPS panels were subjected to thermal vacuum, acoustic, and hot gas flow testing. Results of the coupon and panel tests are presented. Experimental and analytical tools are bing developed to characterize and improve internal insulations. Masses of metallic TPS and advanced ceramic tile and blanked TPS concepts are compared for a wide range of parameters.