Shuttle tile environments and loads

Abstract

This paper presents the Shuttle tile ascent environments and outlines the procedures used to convert these environments into tile loads. Testing which was performed to quantify or verify the loads is also discussed, along with the load combination rationale. The discussion of the ascent environment is limited to the transonic/supersonic portion of the mission since mechanical design loads occur during this time, and to specific regions of the vehicle, in particular those regions in which undensified critical (black) tiles are located.