HERMAL PROTECTION SYSTEMS (TPS) ARE REQUIRED TO MITIGATE THE EXTREME HEATING ENCOUNTERED DURING HYPERSONIC ENTRY INTO THE MARTIAN VENUSIAN AND OUTER PLANET ATMOSPHERES AS WELL AS FOR MANNED AND SAMPLE-RETURN MISSIONS INTO THE TERRESTRIAL ATMOSPHERE. THE DESIGN OF AN EFFICIENT TPS REMAINS ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING TASKS OF PLANETARY EXPLORATION MISSIONS. OVER THE LAST 50 YEARS ONLY A HANDFUL OF

University Of Kentucky Research Foundation, The

Investigators