STS-1 Nominal Cycle 3 March/April Launch, Ascent Base Convective Heating Environments

Abstract

Ascent base convective heating environments were determined for the nominal ascent trajectory for the STS-1 Cycle 3 March/April launch period. Both first and second stage environments are defined for all base heating DFI locations and design body points of interest. An identical format to the STS-1 dispersed trajectory environment was followed throughout. As expected, STS-1 nominal environments are generally less severe than those determined for the high loft and low loft dispersed trajectory conditions. The reduction in cold wall heating with the nominal trajectory varies for each base location analyzed, but, in general, was approximately twenty percent.