In-Flight Aerodynamic Load Testing of the Shuttle Thermal Protection System. Meeting Paper AIAA-1981-2468, Research Engineering, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

Meyer Jr., Robert R. and Jarvis, Calvin R. and Barneburg, Jack (1981) In-Flight Aerodynamic Load Testing of the Shuttle Thermal Protection System. Meeting Paper AIAA-1981-2468, Research Engineering, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center.

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Abstract

To contribute to the certification of the structural integrity of the space shuttle orbiter's thermal protection system (TPS) before the first shuttle flight, in-flight aerodynamic load tests of six simulated areas of the orbiter were conducted. The tests were performed on an F-104 and F-15 aircraft. This paper describes the test approach, techniques used, and results. Two areas of the orbiter TPS were redesigned and retested as a result of these tests. No TPS failures due to air-loads occurred in the areas that were evaluated in the flight tests during the shuttle's first flight.

EPrint Type:	Other
Keywords:	F-15 aircraft, F-104 aircraft, Space Shuttle Orbiter
Subjects:	Aircraft/Project: Space Shuttle Orbiter Aircraft/Project: F-104 Aircraft/Project: F-15
ID Code:	1578
Deposited On:	12 June 2007
Additional Information:	17 pages. AIAA/SETP/SFTE/SAE/ITEA/IEEE 1st Flight Testing Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada, November 11-13, 1981.