Technical Paper
Expert Thermal Management Architecture and Aerothermal Aspects
2005-07-11
2005-01-2900
Activities performed during the phase B of the EXPERT capsule highlighted tight coupling between design solutions outlined for the thermal management architecture and the aerothermal phenomena expected during the re-entry trajectory. Ceramic and high temperature resistant metallic Thermal Protection System (TPS) form the aerodynamic shape of the capsule, so contributing to the aerothermal and structural flight verification, and also accomplish system functions, as TPS is part of a thermo-mechanical architecture that has to ensure the integrity of the capsule. Typical aerothermal phenomena to be tested, such as laminar to turbulent transition, roughness effects, active oxidation and catalycity, need a synergistic coupling with the TPS design called to play an active part during the experimentation (materials characteristics affect and are influenced by aerothermodynamics).