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.


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    Title :

    In-flight aerodynamic load testing of the Shuttle thermal protection system


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    Flight Testing Conference ; 1981 ; Las Vegas, NV


    Publication date :

    1981-11-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




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