This new coating, which is part of the research program SHEFEX II ( Sharp Edge Flight Experiment ) , is expected to make reentry less expensive , safer and more flexible. As can be seen in the photograph, it consists of many facets, all flat. The solutions usually consist of a coated ceramic tiles bulging, which occupy a place, all predefined and therefore each a different shape. Production of the new coating that overcomes this complexity it finds so much easier, which should allow a reduction in costs of around 50 % after Hendrik Weihs , the project manager . On the other hand , the aerodynamic properties , which have already been simulated and tested in a wind tunnel , seem more suited for supersonic flight.

In spring 2011, the system will be tested in real conditions in Australia . An experimental device , equipped with 160 sensors to measure pressure, heat flux and temperature in particular, will be screened at an altitude of 200 km before falling to Earth . The main advantage of such a test for the engineers is to examine the response of the projectile at temperatures of about 2,000 ° C, which is not feasible in a wind tunnel , for example , and study the conditions pressure . They hope to determine the material best suited for.

SHEFEX is one program among many others, launched by the DLR to the development of a spacecraft remote controllable and able to return to Earth and land at an airport , called ” REX – Free Flyer ” . The technologies developed should then be applied to human spaceflight .

Source :

- DLR News – 16/07/2010 – http://www.dlr.de/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-6221/10233_read-25732/
- ” mit Ecken und Kanten Raumfahrt ” , Der Tagesspiegel – 19/07/2010