Thermal analysis plays an important role in the structural design of an atmospheric reentry vehicle subjected to severe aerodynamic heating. It is sometimes difficult to assess the compliance with design requirements because of the serious uncertainties in the predicted heat flux and the material properties. The present study demonstrates the probabilistic thermal analysis of an experimental reentry vehicle: PARTT. The aerodynamic heat flux, the emissivity of the heat shield, and the thermal conductivity of the insulator are selected as random variables. The coefficients of variations and the correlation coefficients (probabilistic sensitivities) of the temperature response will be investigated.
