NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) 19740020225: Phase change paint tests on Rockwell orbiter/tank and orbiter alone configurations (OH3A/OH3B)

by: NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Publication date: 1974-04-01

Topics: NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS), AEROTHERMODYNAMICS, EXTERNAL TANKS, SPACE SHUTTLE ORBITERS, SPACECRAFT CONFIGURATIONS, WIND TUNNEL TESTS, DATA ACQUISITION, FLOW VISUALIZATION, HEAT TRANSFER, HYPERSONIC SPEED, REENTRY VEHICLES, SCHLIEREN PHOTOGRAPHY, THERMAL PROTECTION, Quan, M., Craig, C.,

Collection: NASA_NTRS_Archive; additional_collections

Language: English

Wind tunnel tests were conducted on scale models of the space shuttle orbiter and external tank. The tests were designed to determine the basic heating rate and interference effects on the orbiter-tank configuration and to analyze the effectiveness of the thermal protective system on the reentry vehicle. The phase change paint techniques were used to determine areodynamic heating rates. Oil flow and schlieren photographs were used for flow visualization.