Analysis and design of metallic thermal protection systems for reusable launch vehicle

Metallic thermal protection system is not only lightweight, but also durable, operable as well as cost effective) so it is a key technology for reducing the cost of reusable launch vehicle, The designing rules for primary components of Metallic Thermal Protection System (TPS) are given by comparing and analyzing the difference of superalloy honeycomb TPS panel and improved TPS panel. A numerical model was developed to predict the effective conductivities of the honeycomb sandwich panel and fibrous insulation) and example demonstrates the accuracy of the method. An iterative analysis alternating between thermal and structural analyses is completed using two-dimensional thermal model and three-dimensional structural model. The numerical examples show that the iterative method is effective and performable and it can be used to analyze and evaluate the metallic TPS for reusable launch vehicles.