Analytical model for determining spacecraft impact velocity and orientation relative to an impact surface

Development of analytical model for determining spacecraft impact velocity and orientation relative to impact surface for variable dynamic condition

Concepts and procedures used to determine certain sea wave characteristics

A technique and its application are presented by which wave parameters, critical to spacecraft water impact load analysis, may be determined

The aerodynamic challenges of the design and development of the space shuttle orbiter

The major aerodynamic design challenge at the beginning of the United States Space Transportation System (STS) research and development phase was to design a vehicle that would fly as a spacecraft during early entry and as an aircraft during the final phase of entry. The design was further complicated because the envisioned vehicle was statically unstable during a portion of the aircraft mode of operation. The second challenge was the development of preflight aerodynamic predictions with an accuracy consistent with conducting a manned flight on the initial orbital flight. A brief history of the early contractual studies is presented highlighting the technical results and management decisions influencing the aerodynamic challenges. The configuration evolution and the development of preflight aerodynamic predictions will be reviewed. The results from the first four test flights shows excellent agreement with the preflight aerodynamic predictions over the majority of the flight regimes. The only regimes showing significant disagreement is confined primarily to early entry, where prediction of the basic vehicle trim and the influence of the reaction control system jets on the flow field were found to be deficient. Postflight results are analyzed to explain these prediction deficiencies

Space shuttle: MSC orbiter (S-5) (August 1969 configuration): Longitudinal and lateral stability investigation

Longitudinal and lateral stability data from wind tunnel tests of earth orbiting shuttl

A Study in the Ring Structure of Methylated Sugars

The report will show that methylation of glucose with methyl sulphate and sodium hydroxide, if carried out at lower temperatures and in less alkaline solutions than usually employed, yields methylated gamma glucoside. The value of (1) the rate of oxidation by potassium permanganate and (2) the acid concentration required for hydrolysis, as tests for gamma glucosides, will also be discussed

Space Shuttle wind tunnel testing program

A major phase of the Space Shuttle Vehicle (SSV) Development Program was the acquisition of data through the space shuttle wind tunnel testing program. It became obvious that the large number of configuration/environment combinations would necessitate an extremely large wind tunnel testing program. To make the most efficient use of available test facilities and to assist the prime contractor for orbiter design and space shuttle vehicle integration, a unique management plan was devised for the design and development phase. The space shuttle program is reviewed together with the evolutional development of the shuttle configuration. The wind tunnel testing rationale and the associated test program management plan and its overall results is reviewed. Information is given for the various facilities and models used within this program. A unique posttest documentation procedure and a summary of the types of test per disciplines, per facility, and per model are presented with detailed listing of the posttest documentation