Aeroheating reduction by active thermal protection structures for a re-entry vehicle

The application of the concept of an adaptive structure with variable geometry is proposed for morphing the leading edges or the nose of a space transportation system. The study is based on the development of research activities on adaptive wings made in the past ten years in aeronautics. In the contest of re-entry vehicles or reusable space transportation systems, the adaptivity is made more challenging due to the extreme flight conditions that are present at least in some phases of the mission. Adaptivity is one of the most important ingredients of the concept of smart hot structure or smart thermal protection system that is also based on advanced and very particular performances developed by some active material.