ESA Project SHIELD advances reusable spacecraft
Four category focuses were announced, including one focused on durable, modular and cost‑efficient TPS to be contributed to by Arceon composites.
Oxy-acetylene torch test performed on Arceon’s Carbeon composite materials. Source (All Images) | Arceon
A cross‑European consortium has announced the development of SHIELD, an advanced thermal protection system (TPS) designed to meet the stringent demands of reusable space transportation. The project addresses two critical mission profiles — low Earth orbit (LEO) operations and high‑energy reentry scenarios — offering next‑generation performance through innovative materials and interface designs.
For strenuous reentry regimes, consortium member Arceon (Delft, Netherlands) will deploy its high-performance variant of Carbeon (C/C-SiC) composite panels, ensuring thermal resilience, reusability, durability, scalability and affordability.
Carbeon leading edge is tested 100 millimeters (3.93 inches) away from the solid rocket motor exit.
In order to streamline TPS maintenance and reduce lifecycle costs, Project SHIELD will feature reversible and reconnectable interface systems, enabling rapid assembly, inspection and replacement without sacrificing structural integrity, thus significantly increasing efficiency for reusable spacecraft.
This initiative is a part of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) FIRST! Reusability call under the Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP), which targets transformative TPS, descent and interface technologies. Notably, the Orbital Paradigm consortium — partnering with Arceon, Von Karman Institute (VKI) and Sirius Space Services — has been selected to advance descent systems and thermal protection technologies
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