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The European Union H2020 EFESTO project is coordinated by DEIMOS Space with the end goals of improving the European TRL of Inflatable Heat Shields for re-entry vehicles (from 3 to 4/5) and paving the way towards further improvements (TRL 6 with a future In-Orbit Demonstrator). This paper presents the project objectives and provides with a general overview of the activities ongoing and planned for the next two years, promoting its position in the frame of a European re-entry technology roadmap. EFESTO aims at (1) the definition of critical space mission scenarios (Earth and Mars applications) enabled by the use of advanced inflatable Thermal Protection Systems (TPS), (2) characterization of the operative environment and (3) validation by tests of both the flexible materials needed for the thermal protection (flexible thermal blanket will be tested in arcjet facility in both Earth and Martian environments) and the inflatable structure at 1:2 scale (exploring the morphing dynamics and materials response from packed to fully inflated configuration). These results will be injected into the consolidated design of a future In-Orbit Demonstrator (IOD) mission.

International audience; European Union H2020 EFESTO project is coordinated by DEIMOS Space with the end goals of improving the European TRL of Inflatable Heat Shields for re-entry vehicles from 3 to 4/5 and pave the way to In-Orbit Demonstration that can further raise the TRL to 6. This paper presents the project objectives and provides a general overview of the latest advancements, promoting the relevance of the EFESTO know-how in the frame of a European re-entry technology roadmap. The system, aerodynamic and mission design of two Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator use case scenarios, the AVUM VEGA stage recovery and a high-mass Mars exploration EDL mission, have been selected for deriving requirements and constraints to be injected in the EFESTO ground testing phase. The focus of this phase was on the aerothermal verification of the Flexible-Thermal Protection System in the DLR Arcjet facility and the analysis of the mechanical properties of the Inflatable Structure exploiting a manufactured 1:2 demonstrator, both representing key aspects of this peculiar and innovative technology.

International audience; The European Union H2020 EFESTO project is coordinated by DEIMOS Space with the end goals of improving the TRL of Inflatable Heat Shields for re-entry vehicles (from 3 to 4/5) and paving the way towards further improvements (TRL 6 with a future In-Orbit Demonstrator). This paper presents the project objectives and provides with a general overview of the activities ongoing and planned for the next three years, promoting its position in the frame of a European re-entry technology roadmap.