The design and optimization of space systems presents many challenges associated with the variety of physical domains involved and their coupling. A practical example is the case of space vehicles designed to re-enter the atmosphere upon completion of their mission. For these systems, aerodynamics and thermodynamics phenomena are strongly coupled and relate to structural dynamics and vibrations, chemical non equilibrium phenomena that characterize the atmosphere, specific re-entry trajectory, and geometrical shape of the body. Blunt bodies are common geometric configurations used in planetary re-entry. These geometries permit to obtain high aerodynamic resistance to decelerate the vehicle from orbital speeds along with contained aerodynamic lift for trajectory control.