Study of Spacecraft Elements Surviving an Atmospheric Re-Entry

In the frame of a better understanding of parameters playing with the reentry of spacecraft elements we have performed expertises on a real case. We try to correlate geometrical parameters, flight configuration with damages seen by the object. We also add some data's for comparison from reports of other reentered objects.We have performed expertises at the material level to measure materials properties evolutions. The tests include mechanical measurements, crystallography study and ejecta's appraisals. These results are inputs for simulation tool in order to better define which object would survive an atmospheric re-entry.The method used could be applied to other re-entered object.