In this work we review selected experiments and inference methods for the determination of atmospheric entry gas/surface interaction models for air catalysis and nitrogen ablation. Accurate prediction of the gas/surface interaction during spacecraft reentry remains a challenging problem for thermal protection system design. Attempts to model the surface chemistry of catalytic and ablative materials must account for experimental and model uncertainties. We review two sets of experiments and models adopted in the relevant literature for the rebuilding of catalytic properties and nitridation reaction efficiencies. The review is enriched with new perspectives to these problems by using dedicated Bayesian methods.