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Daimler-Benz Aerospace of Germany and RSC-Energia of Russia have commonly developed a small inspection spacecraft. The objective of this vehicle is to provide support to Cosmonauts/Astronauts for external activities to limit human Extravehicular Activities (EVA) with its high costs and risks. The first experimental space vehicle INSPECTOR is planned to have a demonstration mission by the end of 1997, dedicated to the observation and inspection of the MIR space station and a PROGRESS cargo vehicle. The paper describes the thermal analysis and concept development as well as the thermal hardware and test activities for the INSPECTOR system.

Based on the heritage of carbidic ceramic matrix composites (CMC) applied for hot structures and thermal protection systems on re-entry vehicles, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (Dasa) has developed Alumina-fiber reinforced CMC systems (Al-O/CMC) which do not require oxidation resistant coatings in atmospheric environment at high temperatures. As most launch vehicle configurations require in the vicinity of the rocket engine a thermal protection due to the impact of base heating their is a need to incorporate an adequate engine heat shield assembly. For the application on future RLVs this particular engine heat shield has also to be designed for reuseability. A thermal protection system constructed from Al-O/CMC will provide an attractive concept solution. This paper describes the route for development and technological maturation of a reference configuration of an Al-O/CMC based engine heat shield.