Coleto, J.Bausá, M.Maudes, J.Salmon, T.Martinez, L.Passaro, A.Ritter, H.2024-07-242024-07-242006Coleto , J , Bausá , M , Maudes , J , Salmon , T , Martinez , L , Passaro , A & Ritter , H 2006 , Phase change materials and thermosensitive painting : Application on smart thermal protection systems . in AIAA 57th International Astronautical Congress, IAC 2006 . AIAA 57th International Astronautical Congress, IAC 2006 , vol. 8 , pp. 5276-5287 , AIAA 57th International Astronautical Congress, IAC 2006 , Valencia , Spain , 2/10/06 .conference9781605600390https://hdl.handle.net/11556/2292In order to promote new ideas and assess novel alternatives for TPS concepts, ESA has launched an exploratory study on Smart TPS for future re-entry vehicles. Within this context, the objectives of the present work have been achieved within two phases: (1) definition of Smart TPS concepts, study and selection of the most promising ones and (2) demonstration of their feasibility. After a trade-off approach, where the smart concepts have been evaluated versus system aspects, the two most promising were selected for proof-of-concept. The first one, based on Phase Change Materials (PCMs), provides increased safety by preventing the formation of hot spots in the primary structure. The second one is a thermosensitive painting able to retrieve information of the thermal history of the TPS after re-entry, enabling easier maintenance. Both concepts have been tested under simulated re-entry conditions at high temperature. It has been demonstrated that the use of PCM restricts the temperature achieved in critical zones of the primary structure notably lower than that achieved without PCM. In addition, outstanding accuracy of the thermal paints has been confirmed by comparison with thermocouples measurements. Excellent adherence with the substrate has been also confirmed under thermal cycling and plasma conditions.12enginfo:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccessconference outputSpace and Planetary ScienceAerospace Engineeringhttp://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=40549117555&partnerID=8YFLogxK