Traditional aviation NDI technologies are widely used in the process of reusable aerospace system creation. Additionally some new technologies should be developed according to application of new high temperature insulative materials.

Basic factors which show most significant influence on the TPS components integrity are maximal realized temperatures, as well as temperature gradients and heating rates, static dynamic and acoustic loads, erosion, vacuum, solar and cosmic radiation, moisture, aggressive surroundings, etc. Such combination of physical and chemical actions may cause appearance of new type defects during object testing and exploitation. These conditions stimulate wide and complex application of NDI methods. First of all they include traditional flaw detection tasks (cracks, defective welded or soldered joints, pores, etc. ). New more complex and scientifically capacious tasks include inspection of physical and mechanical properties (density, rigidity, strength, large stresses, etc. ). One of the most important problem is application of NDI methods to the prognosis of nonallowable defects appearance and prediction of construction transition into the state prohibited to its further exploitation.

Experience gained in the process of BURAN TPS creation shows that development of NDI methods as well as technology of their application should start at the earliest stages of project realisation and must accompany controlled object during its entire life cycle. Corresponding accumulated information should be stored in data base which is necessary element of the whole diagnostic system.

The cost of global inspection technology development for BURAN TPS was about 15% of the total expenses for TPS design, manufacturing and experimental development. Proper choice of inspection strategy using BURAN experience make it is possible essential decreasing (up to 2-3 times) of NDI development and application expenses for TPS of similar complexity and novelty.