Delta-qualification testing of TPS ablators
Within the Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission, it is foreseen to bring back to Earth samples of Martian soil. Those samples will have to be shipped onboard a dedicated probe that will go through the Earth’s atmosphere following a hyperbolic interplanetary trajectory.
The entry conditions are of such a challenging nature that existing materials for heat shields will not withstand the generated heat fluxes (in the order of 8 to 15 MW/m2). Besides, the probe configuration has to meet the requirements needed for a hard landing, which means touch-down speed of over 30 m/s.
For these very high heat fluxes the thermal protection system of the return capsule has to be based on ablative materials. Ablative materials are able to absorb part of the generated heat by melting and decomposing during descent into the atmosphere. The technology is already off-the-shelf for Mars entry for instance relying on Beagle 2 heritage. However, the Earth re-entry after return from Mars involves heat fluxes 6 to 8 times larger than those for Mars entry. A delta-development and qualification of already existing materials is therefore needed.
The primary objective of the ‘Delta-qualification testing of TPS ablators’ is to select, characterise and test-qualify suitable ablative materials for the specific Mars Sample Return mission needs. Following this work, a preliminary design of a re-entry heat shield based upon the selected material is conducted. These objectives must be achieved by iterating this process together with cost, manufacturing and AIV activity assumptions while keeping in mind that low density materials are necessary for the feasibility of the mission.
The phase involving the Earth re-entry vehicle is of the utmost criticality in the MSR mission as very stringent planetary protection requirements have to be met. Any probe bringing back to Earth surface planetary samples must be qualified for hard-landing to avoid any backward contamination.
| Start |
Expected or actual duration | Status | Prime contractor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug '03 | 23 months | Completed | EADS ST |
Executive Summary