Abstract
Thermal protection materials and systems (TPS) are used to protect spacecraft during reentry into Earth′s atmosphere or entry into planetary atmospheres. As such, these materials are subject to severe environments with high heat fluxes and rapid heating. Catalytic effects can increase the temperatures substantially. These materials are also subject to impact damage from micrometeorites or other debris during ascent, orbit, and descent, and must be able to withstand damage and maintain function following damage. Thermal protection materials and coatings developed at NASA Ames Research Center and used in reusable launch vehicles will be reviewed. These will include recent advances in surface treatments to improve impact resistance and temperature capability of tile materials. New TPS materials may enable the use of sharp nose cones and leading edges on future reusable space transportation vehicles. The needs and directions for new materials to enable new vehicles with greater performance will be included.
