Initial Shuttle external tank flight evaluation

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to evaluate aerothermal flight measurements made on the Space Shuttle External Tank (ET) during its initial flights. The ETs have been adequately instrumented to measure various quantities during flight including heat transfer, pressure, and structural temperature. The flight data have been compared with mathematical models based on an extensive wind tunnel data base, realistic flowfields, and empirical heat-transfer relationships. An analysis of the results points out the validity of the current aeroheating methodology and existing data base, and identifies problem areas in the methodology as indicated by the flight data.