Research Progress of Launch Vehicle Surface Protection Technology

XIONG Shuqiang; WANG Yiming; YUAN Jiaxi; WANG Jun; YANG Yang; LU Wu; ZHANG Chongyin; JU Pengfei; ZHU Xinyuan

doi:10.16490/j.cnki.issn.1001-3660.2025.14.001

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Surface Technology ›› 2025, Vol. 54 ›› Issue (14) : 1-11. DOI: 10.16490/j.cnki.issn.1001-3660.2025.14.001

Research Review

Research Progress of Launch Vehicle Surface Protection Technology

XIONG Shuqiang¹, WANG Yiming¹, YUAN Jiaxi¹, WANG Jun¹, YANG Yang¹, LU Wu^1,2, ZHANG Chongyin^1,*, JU Pengfei^1,*, ZHU Xinyuan^1,3

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Abstract

Launch vehicles are crucial vehicles to push various spacecraft, including satellites, manned spacecraft, space stations etc. into space. The surface protection technology of launch vehicles is a vital guarantee for their successful launch. The overview of the surface protection technology of launch vehicles encompasses four major technological domains: ablated thermal protection coating technology, non-ablated thermal protection coating technology, environmentally applicable surface coating technology, and low-temperature thermal insulation material technology. Ablated thermal protection coating is an organic coating that takes away heat through ablation mass loss. It can be divided into two categories: epoxy ablated thermal protection coating and silicone rubber ablated thermal protection coating. The former has advantages of good adhesion, but it is prone to cracking at high temperature, which is suitable for low-heat flow density of protection; The latter has high temperature resistance, but it has disadvantages of ablation and easy powderization. Non-ablative thermal protection coating is a ceramic inorganic coating with high infrared emissivity. Three generations including RGG, TUTI and HETC of non-ablative thermal protection coatings have been developed abroad, which are suitable for thermal protection in key parts of reusable and repeatable launch vehicles. Domestic relevant research institutes have also developed multiple non-ablative protective material systems. However, the domestic research foundation and engineering capabilities are relatively insufficient. Environmentally applicable surface coating mainly meets the environmental conditions such as high salt spray, high humidity and heat, and high radiation during ground launch of the launch vehicles, and protective coatings such as radiation-shielding and anti-static coatings have been developed. Domestic launch sites are gradually shifting from Jiuquan launch sites to Hainan launch sites. Traditional coatings are difficult to meet the requirements of solar radiation, facing the requirements of high-irradiation, anti-salt spray, anti-moisture heat, anti-electrostatic and anti-mildew. Low-temperature insulation materials play the role of insulation under ultra-low-temperature liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen conditions, mainly including foam materials and aerogel materials. The former is more flexible in construction technology than the latter, and meets efficient heat insulation in complex shapes. Taking polyurethane foam as an example, it is widely used in the thermal insulation conditions of launch vehicles. However, aerogel materials have low density and high temperature resistance, and are currently gradually promoted and used in the aerospace field. This article focuses on summarizing the current development status and trends of surface protection technology for launch vehicles at home and abroad in recent years, introducing the surface protection strategies for different parts of launch vehicles such as satellite fairing, propellant tank and cabin tail, and providing technical references for related research work. With the development of launch vehicle technology, thermal protection materials in the future must meet the basic usage requirements of lightweight, repeatable and low cost. In addition, traditional heat-proof structures often use multi-layer structures to meet functional needs. This type of protective structure is low-quality and efficient, and multi-functional integrated heat-proof coatings of high heat resistance, high heat insulation, and high emission have become the key direction for scientific researchers to develop coatings.

Key words

launch vehicles / surface protection / thermal protected coating / functional coating / thermal insulation materials

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XIONG Shuqiang, WANG Yiming, YUAN Jiaxi, WANG Jun, YANG Yang, LU Wu, ZHANG Chongyin, JU Pengfei, ZHU Xinyuan. Research Progress of Launch Vehicle Surface Protection Technology[J]. Surface Technology. 2025, 54(14): 1-11 https://doi.org/10.16490/j.cnki.issn.1001-3660.2025.14.001

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