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Staying Cool: The Thermal Protection System

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Book cover Spaceplane HERMES

Part of the book series: Springer Praxis Books ((SPACEE))

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Abstract

One of the most challenging aspects of the Hermes programme undoubtedly was its Thermal Protection System (TPS). A safe re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere and landing, without sustaining heat-induced damage to the vehicle is one of the most important prerequisites for the operational use of a reusable space transportation system. Hermes’ envisaged TPS using shingles greatly differed from the system used on the US Space Shuttle or the Soviet Buran. With the promise to be a less damage and maintenance sensitive design though, came the problem of maturing the system in time for its operational introduction.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hilversum, The Netherlands

    Luc van den Abeelen

Authors
  1. Luc van den Abeelen
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van den Abeelen, L. (2017). Staying Cool: The Thermal Protection System. In: Spaceplane HERMES. Springer Praxis Books(). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-44472-7_20

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