In-flight aerodynamic load testing of the Shuttle thermal protectionsystem

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.