In order to accommodate differential expansion between thermal protection panels
and a structure to be protected, the present invention provides a stand-off for
holding the panels, the stand-off comprising a first portion allowing displacements
to take place in a first direction and a second portion allowing displacements
to take place in a second direction. Each of the two portions also presents a high
degree of stiffness in a direction corresponding to tear-off and crushing forces
applies to the panels. The stand-off is made as a single piece having first and
second recesses formed therein in order to make the first and second portions respectively
in determined orientations so that the resulting stand-off allows displacements
to take place in two distinct directions perpendicular to the tear-off and crushing directions.
