SEMINAR: Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) and Hot Structures for Hypersonic Vehicles

Abstract

Thermal protection systems (TPS) and hot structures are required for a range of hypersonic vehicles ranging from ballistic re-entry to hypersonic cruise vehicles, both within Earth’s atmosphere and non-Earth atmospheres.  This presentation will begin with a brief discussion of aerodynamic heating and thermal management techniques to address the high heating of hypersonic flight, followed by an overview of TPS for rocket-launched and air-breathing vehicles.  The primary portion of the paper will discuss issues and design options for ceramic matrix composite (CMC) TPS and hot structure components, including leading edges, acreage TPS, and control surfaces.  The current state-of-the-art will be briefly discussed for some of the components.  The two primary technical challenges impacting the use of CMC TPS and hot structures for hypersonic vehicles are environmental durability and fabrication, and will be discussed briefly.

Bio

Dr. David E. Glass has an undergraduate degree in Math and Physics from Wake Forest University, a masters degree from the University of North Carolina, and a masters and Ph. D. in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University.  He began his career at NASA Langley Research Center in 1988, and is focused on high-temperature structures and materials, with an emphasis on hot structures for hypersonic vehicles.  He led the NASA team overseeing the development of the carbon/carbon leading edges for the Hyper-X Mach 10 flight vehicle. Those leading edges helped enable a successful flight in November 2004, setting a world record for the fastest airbreathing airplane.  He also led a “Tiger Team” for the development and testing of a small area repair for the Space Shuttle Return To Flight after the Columbia accident.  He led a multi-disciplinary effort for two NASA programs with a focus on airframe technology development for reusable launch vehicles.  He is internationally recognized for his research on hot structures for hypersonic vehicles, and has been an invited lecturer on the topic both domestically and internationally.  In addition, he has mentored over 40 undergraduate and graduate student interns at NASA Langley.