Parametric Integral Soft Objects-based Procedure for Thermal Protection System Modeling of Reusable Launch Vehicle

Abstract

The present paper deals with a modeling procedure of a thermal protection system (TPS) designed for a conceptual reusable launch vehicle (RLV). A novel parametric model based on a scalar field created by a set of soft object primitives is used to assign an almost arbitrary seamless distribution of insulating materials over the vehicle surface. Macroaggregates of soft objects are created using suitable geometric supports allowing a distribution of coating materials using a limited number of parameters. Applications to different conceptual vehicle configurations of an assigned thickness map and materials layout show the flexibility of the model.

Thermal Protection System Design of a Reusable Launch Vehicle Using Integral Soft Objects

“…In the present work, following an approach proposed in Ref. [17], a soft objectderived representation for TPS thickness and material assignation is introduced. According to the legacy formulation of this technique, originally developed in computer graphics (C.G.)…”