Patent ID: 8714491

Claim:
A thermal protection system comprising: a first heat resistant panel having a first panel outer surface that can withstand exposure to atmospheric ballistic reentry temperatures, a first panel inner surface opposite the first panel outer surface and configured for attachment to a surface to be protected, and a first panel joint edge defined between the first panel outer surface and the first panel inner surface; and a second heat resistant panel having a second panel outer surface that can withstand exposure to atmospheric ballistic reentry temperatures, a second panel inner surface opposite the second panel outer surface and configured for attachment to the surface to be protected, and a second panel joint edge defined between the second panel outer surface and the second panel inner surface; wherein the first panel inner surface and second panel inner surface are configured for attachment to the surface to be protected such that the first panel joint edge and the second panel joint edge are normal to the surface to be protected; wherein the first panel joint edge and the second panel joint edge are configured to mate with each other to form a staggered joint between the first heat resistant panel and the second heat resistant panel; and wherein the staggered joint comprises at least one non-straight segment having a periodic shape extending parallel to the first and second panel outer surfaces for at least one cycle of the periodic shape.