Wind profile perturbation analysis for STS

Abstract

Two case studies of the relationship between STS ascent structural loads and wind profile characteristics are described. In the first case study, a wind profile with relatively weak winds is used to demonstrate the importance of launch vehicle velocity relative to the air and its effect on loads. In the second study, a pair of wind profiles is used to show how the determination of load exceedances is strongly influenced by the wind load persistence allowances for the baseline and two day-of-launch (DOL) steering commands called I-LOADs. Characteristics of the wind profiles and associated trajectory variable and wind-sensitive load indicators are examined. Energy spectra of in-plane and out-of-plane wind component and a load indicator are presented. An analysis of load indicator sensitivity to wind perturbation energy in the 1600-6400 m wavelength band for baseline and DOL I-LOAD is described.