Ceramic Matrix Composites Life Cycle Testing Under Reusable Launcher Environmental Conditions

This article focuses on the thermal protection system (TPS) and hot structures based on carbon fibre-reinforced SiC (C/SiC) material, which protects the high thermal-loaded areas and control surfaces of are reusable launch vehicle (RLV). The goal of the test program is the evaluation of the lifetime of different types of TPS under reusability aspects for RLV application, reflecting the re-entry environments, together with the effect of impacts from low-speed impact, rain erosion, and hail core impact. The test results of the C/SiC samples with the self-healing oxidation protection system showed very promising results concerning reusability and lifetime.