Some Aerothermodynamic Aspects of ESA Entry Probes

Two different entry vehicles are presented here: the Inflatable Reentry and Descent Demonstrator (IRDT), and Huygens. Both missions involve (re)entries at conditions close to orbital, and have been performed in 2005. Specific aspects of the design and the mission of IRDT are briefly outlined. The preliminary results of the recent flight of IRDT and the methodology followed at ESTEC for the assessment of radiative fluxes for Huygens are summarised.