Re-entry vehicle design optimization with integrated trajectory uncertainties

In the present paper uncertainty-based design optimization of re-entry vehicles is investigated. The goal is to optimally design the Thermal Protection System (TPS) of a reentry vehicle to minimize the thermally induced deformations mismatch between adjacent parts of the TPS as the vehicle is heated during the re-entry. Uncertainties of different nature, typically originating from the vehicle configuration and the re-entry trajectory are considered in this work. The design approach is based on a bounded-but-unknown uncertainty optimization technique that assumes a continuous variation of both the design parameters and the uncertainties. The results of the proposed approach are compared with those of a deterministic approach, where the design is optimized for a nominal load profile.