Testing of Combined Load Carrying and TPS Structures

Abstract

Future reusable launch and re-entry vehicles are characterised by complex structures undergoing severe mechanical and extreme heat loads. Generally, the structure has to be de-signed for multiple purposes, e.g. a combined cryo-tank wall as a lightweight load carrying structure with liner, low tem-perature insulation, and hybrid thermal protection system (TPS) against aerodynamic heating. The range from cryo-genic liquid pro-pellants up to more than 1000 0C is covered by the thermal environment. Thus, there is a strong demand for analytical as well as ex-perimental investigation of such structures. The objective of an optimised structure needs research on the thermal and mechanical behaviour of single components, partly and fully assembled structures. Considering the allowed temperature lim-its, the stability, and the strength failure, the concepts have to be checked under expected levels of heat load, ther-mal cycling, also static and dynamic loads combined with acoustic excitations. Moreo-ver, investigations on compati-bility and multiple interactions of the different components are neces-sary. The requirements of thermo-mechanical testing are high-lighted, and the solutions developed are discussed. Subse-quently, the test facilities for a variety of structures, single components and assemblies, are presented.