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For all future space transportation systems the capability for multiple use plays a major role. This fact comprises ascent, on-orbit and re-entry, maintenance and inspection on ground for all major components and subsystems. Beginning with HERMES Europe made great efforts in the re-entry technology development also. This affects e.g. guidance and navigation, aero-thermodynamic and Thermal Protection Systems (TPS). The US Advanced Flexible Reusable Insulation (AFRSI) as TPS was developed for the Space Shuttle and successfully flown since the beginning of its missions. In Europe, there were similar developments performed within the HERMES program. Depending on the temperature levels on the vehicle and the aero-dynamical or mechanical loads different TPS are used.

Multi-layer insulations consisting of stacks of reflecting foils reveal extremely low thermal conductances under vacuum conditions. Therefore, to improve the thermal performance of a pure foam and to reduce the area related mass, experimental and analytical investigations have been extended to a combined advanced multi-layer/foam insulation concept which consists of a stack of reflecting screens separated by thin foam layers. The predicted thermal performance of this improved insulation concept is compared with test results.

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.