A method of monitoring a thermal protection system coupled to a structural component is provided. The thermal protection system includes a thermally insulative body and at least one layer of thermochromatic material applied thereon such that the at least one layer is positioned between the thermally insulative body and the structural component. The method includes determining a value of a thermochromatic property of the at least one layer of thermochromatic material, wherein the value of the thermochromatic property is responsive to an amount of heat applied to the at least one layer of thermochromatic material, comparing the value to a baseline value of the thermochromatic property, and determining degradation of the thermal protection system when the value of the thermochromatic property deviates from the baseline value.