Additively Manufactured Carbon-Carbon/Silicon Carbide Reusable Thermal Protection System.

Traditional Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) have exhibited significant limitations, including high mass, limited durability, complex manufacturing processes, design geometry inflexibility, susceptibility to thermal shock, and intensive maintenance requirements. These challenges compound cost and schedule and limit the performance of DoD missions that require TPS for reentry missions.? The defense sector's need for robust, reliable, and reusable TPS is critical for the success of high-speed aerospace vehicles, including hypersonic platforms and reconnaissance systems, where operational demands exceed the capabilities of traditional TPS materials. ?