The operability of a flexible blanket thermal protection system for a reusable launch vehicle can be improved by using mechanical attachments instead of adhesive bonding to fasten the thermal protection system to the vehicle structure. Mechanical attachments offer specific benefits by (1) permitting the use of composite or metal structures at or near their maximum temperatures (above the adhesive temperature limit) thereby reducing the required TPS thickness and weight, (2) significantly reducing both the frequency and time for TPS replacement, (3) providing easy access to hatches and the underlying structure, and (4) allowing the attachment of flexible TPS to integral cryotanks, where the TPS/structure interface temperature may fall below the lower temperature of the silicone adhesives.
Mechanical attachments for flexible blanket TPS
Space technology and applications international forum - 1998 ; 1998 ; Albuquerque,New Mexico (USA)
AIP Conference Proceedings ; 420 , 1 ; 1033-1038
1998-01-15
6 pages
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
Mechanical Attachments for Flexible Blanket TPS
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