Heat transfer tests of the McDonnell-Douglas delta wing orbiter mated with -17A booster at Mach number 8

Abstract

A wind tunnel test program to determine aerodynamic heat transfer distributions on the McDonnell-Douglas configurations is reported. The tests were conducted at the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) in Tunnel B of the von Karman Gas Dynamics Facility (VKF). Heat-transfer rates were determined by the phase-change paint technique on 0.011-scale Stycast models using Tempilaq as the surface temperature indicator. The nominal test conditions were; Mach 8, freestream unit Reynolds numbers of 0.8 x one million, 2.5 x one million, and 3.7 x one million, and angles of attack of -5 deg, 0 deg, +5deg. Model details, test conditions, phase-change paint photographs and reduced heat-transfer coefficients are presented