ReWiG: A Resistive Wire Grid TPS recession sensor

•Carry out a fresh documentary search of the publicly available reports on available TPS recession sensors (WP1) •Carry out room temperature simulated recession (gradual cutting) tests on a number of sensor mesh and grid materials to ascertain geometric and material constraints and carry out a trade-off of materials and geometries (WP1) •Carry out a series of simulated ablative recession tests using a high-temperature flame on specific sensors to check behavior and sensitivity of sensors, using cork or other appropriate material (WP2) •Carry out 2 tests on P50 cork at a plasma-jet facility to ascertain the efficacy of the ReWiG concept under realistic conditions (WP2) •Arrive at a decision on the “proof of concept” (TRL3) of the ReWiG sensor

•Burn recession tests of ablators using oxy-acetylene flame and plasma-jet show that the ReWiG sensor is able to provide a distinguishable signal as the recession proceeds •The use of a grid/foil combination can offer reliable temperature compensation enabling better definition of the recession signal •The results of the tests indicate that the concept of using a grid/foil combination as a TPS recession sensor is highly promising and, with further development, it can offer reliable direct in-situ measurement and monitoring of the recession of ablative TPS during atmospheric entry.