A Research On Structure Of Ceramic Tile Thermal Protection System

With the rapid development of space technology, reusable launch vehicle(RLV)has became a research focus of the transportation system between ground and space. RLV plays an important role in controlling the cost of space transportation. But RLV would suffer serious problem of aerodynamic heating inevitably during reentry. As one of key technologies in the development of RLV, the function of the thermal protection system(TPS)is to prevent too much heat transmitting to the vehicle structure and maintain the vehicle structure below a specified temperature limit.A study was performed to develop an understanding of the thermal and structural analysis and parameter optimization of ceramic tile thermal protection system on the space shuttle.Firstly,some background information was assembled and reviewed critically to provide a basis for development of RLV and TPS. General approaches to TPS were categorized. Secondly, ceramic tile TPS was presented and systematically analyzed by finite element method (FEM).The one-dimensional finite element computational model was developed for simulating conduction heat transfer and radiation in order to predict the ceramic tile temperature distribution. The computational model was also used for optimizing the thickness of ceramic tile to maintain the structure below a specified temperature limit. Thirdly, the two-dimensional model of heat transfer and structural analysis was also developed to optimize the thickness of tile and skin in order to obtain the optimum design for ceramic tile TPS. Some relevant factors that influence the thermal analysis and thermal performance of ceramic tile TPS were identified and quantified, including heat loss of the interior of a vehicle, initial temperature, outer boundary conditions and gap between ceramic tile. Finally, that whether the ecclasis of the tile and strain isolation pad would lead to Colombia space shuttle accident was discussed.