CEV Case Description

CFD analyses were performed to estimate the ability of compression pads in a fore-body heat shield thermal protection system (TPS) to survive the high speed reentry heat loads. These analyses are necessary to estimate the heat load acting on the structural elements of the compression pads, such as metal alloy central bolt.





The analyses included boundary conditions that took into account chemical processes occurring at the vehicle AVCOAT TPS surface. In particular oxidation and nitridation of the TPS surface was modeled and the influence of the gases released from the TPS due to in-depth pyrolysis processes in the head shield material was considered.