Space Rider: Strategic Milestone Reached in Thermal Protection System Qualification

A key milestone toward the full operational readiness of Space Rider has been achieved following the successful completion of the dynamic test campaign on the windward shingles, the ceramic panels forming the vehicle’s lower heat shield.

The Thermal Protection System (TPS), designed, manufactured, and qualified by CIRA, serves as the critical barrier protecting Space Rider from extreme heat fluxes during atmospheric reentry, safeguarding the integrity of the internal structure.

The system features an outer shell composed of 21 Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) shingles, reinforced by a sophisticated architecture of stiffeners to achieve an optimal balance of lightweight design and structural resilience. Beneath this ceramic skin, a high-performance insulating sandwich capable of operating at temperatures up to 1600 °C effectively halts heat transfer to the internal "cold" structure. This configuration was developed with a focus on sustainability: the TPS is reusable for up to six missions.

The vibrational qualification campaign was conducted at Centrotecnica Srl, where a 200 kN shaker was used to subject a significant TPS section - exceeding 1x1 meter and consisting of a four-shingle assembly - to high-intensity mechanical stress.

While each shingle is typically subjected to specific load profiles based on its position, the CIRA team - led by Eng. Barbara Tiseo, who is responsible for Space Rider’s dynamic qualification test campaigns - opted to subject the entire assembly to the maximum load envelope. This bold approach intentionally overstressed two of the four shingles to achieve simultaneous qualification for the entire set

The success of this campaign confirms the excellence of the ceramic materials and the efficacy of a rigorous testing methodology designed to minimize operational uncertainty and maximize safety margins.

This result marks a significant leap forward in the Space Rider qualification roadmap. It stands as a testament to the synergy between CIRA’s design expertise and cutting-edge test engineering, a combination essential for ensuring system reliability in future space missions.