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Buchholz, R. E.

Publications and source records attributed to Buchholz, R. E..

Summary of results of parametric studies of space shuttle booster, orbiter, and launch vehicle concepts

The results of analytical and experimental parametric studies of space shuttle booster, orbiter and launch vehicle aerodynamics are described. During this study over 1700 hours of experimental wind tunnel tests were conducted on several versions of the shuttle booster, orbiter and launch vehicle. Fifteen separate tests were conducted in three different test facilities. Due to the number of test programs conducted and the time required for test preparation, analysis of the test data has been limited to that required to drive the experimental program. A brief description of each of the experimental tests conducted including the test purpose and approach is included. Several test models were designed and fabricated in support of the experimental program. These models are described.

Bradley, D.↗

Space shuttle: Static surface pressures of the 0.004 scale 049 orbiter in the launch configuration

Wing and lower body surface static pressure data for the space shuttle 049 orbiter while in the launch configuration were obtained. The purpose of the test was to determine the optimum incidence position of the orbiter relative to the hydrogen-oxygen (HO) tank and the optimum radial position of the solid rocket motors (SRM) on the HO tank. The orbiter was mounted on the HO tank at incidence angles of 0 and -1.5 degrees to determine the optimum incidence position. The SRM boosters were tested at radial positions of 75, 90, and 135 degrees on the HO tank to determine their optimum position with respect to the loads imposed on the orbiter. The test was conducted in the tunnel over a Mach number range of 0.6 to 4.96. Angle of attack was varied from -8 to +8 degrees at zero degree angle of sideslip, and at sideslip angles varying from -6 to +6 degrees at zero degree angle of attack.

Buchholz, R. E.↗

Performance, static stability, and control effectiveness of a parametric space shuttle launch vehicle

This test was run as a continuation of a prior investigation of aerodynamic performance and static stability tests for a parametric space shuttle launch vehicle. The purposes of this test were: (1) to obtain a more complete set of data in the transonic flight region, (2) to investigate new H-0 tank noseshapes and tank diameters, (3) to obtain control effectiveness data for the orbiter at 0 degree incidence and with a smaller diameter H-0 tank, and (4) to determine the effects of varying solid rocket motor-to-H0 tank gap size. Experimental data were obtained for angles of attack from -10 to +10 degrees and for angles of sideslip from +10 to -10 degrees at Mach numbers ranging from .6 to 4.96.

Buchholz, R. E.↗

Space shuttle: Directional and lateral stability and interference effects of cruise engine location on a 0.015 scale space shuttle

The results are presented that were obtained from a wind tunnel tests to improve space shuttle booster baseline lateral-directional stability, control characteristics, and cruise engine location optimization. Tests were conducted in a 7 x 10-foot transonic wind tunnel. The model employed was a 0.015-scale replica of a space shuttle booster. The three major objectives of this test were to determine the following: (1) force, static stability, and control effectiveness characteristics for varying angles of positive and negative wing dihedral and various combinations of wing tip and centerline dorsal fins; (2) force and static stability characteristics of cruise engines location on the body below the high aerodynamic canard; and (3) control effectiveness for the low-mounted wing configuration. The wing dihedral study was conducted at a cruise Mach number of 0.40 and simulated altitude of 10,000 feet. Portions of the test were conducted to determine the control surfaces stability and control characteristics over the Mach number range of 0.4 to 1.2. The aerodynamic characteristics determined are based on a unit Reynolds number of approximately 2 million per foot. Boundary layer trip strips were employed to induce boundary layer transition.

Buchholz, R. E.↗

Space shuttle: Static aerodynamic characteristics and control effectiveness of two delta wing orbiter configurations (M equals 0.6 to 4.96)

Two 0.00325-scale models of a space shuttle orbiter were tested in trisonic wind tunnel to obtain force, static stability, and control effectiveness data by six component internal strain gauge balance. Two separate configurations were tested; however, the fuselage and basic wing were of one-piece construction. The configurations were varied by replacing the straight wing tip extensions with upswept wing tips. Directional stability was provided for one configuration by a centerline vertical tail. Due to the one-piece body/wing construction, no body-alone data were obtained. The effect of tip fins and vertical tail size were, however, investigated. Both configurations were tested over a Mach range of 0.6 to 4.96 with data taken at angles of attack from minus 4 deg to 60 deg and at angles of sideslip from minus 4 deg to 10 deg.

Ellis, R. R.↗

Space shuttle: Stability and control effectiveness of the MDAC parametric delta canard booster at Mach 0.38. Volume 1: Canard parametric variations

A 0.015 scale model of a modified version of the MDAC space shuttle booster was tested in the Naval Ship Research and Development Center 7 x 10 foot transonic wind tunnel, to obtain force, static stability, and control effectiveness data. Data were obtained for a cruise Mach Number of 0.38, altitude of 10,000 ft, and Reynolds Number per foot of approximately 2 x one million. The model was tested through an angle of attack range of -4 deg to 15 deg at zero degree angle of sideslip, and at an angle of sideslip range of -6 deg to 6 deg at fixed angles of attack of 0 deg, 6 deg, and 15 deg. Other test variables were elevon deflections, canard deflections, aileron deflections, rudder deflections, wing dihedral angle, canard incidence angle, wing incidence angle, canard position, wing position, wing and canard control flap size and dorsal fin size.

Bradley, D.↗