THERMANTIC STRUCTURE TEST PROGRAM

Abstract
A re-entry vehicle section built for thermantic construction was tested to demonstrate the performance of the structure at the design conditions. The design point for the structure is the peak loading and temperature portion of the first re-entry cycle with equilibrium temperatures overall. Three conditions were tested. Static Test I and Static Test II were room temperature, load only tests. There was no damage to the structure from these tests. Static Test III was a combined elevated temperature and load test. The elevated temperature portion of this test was started and aborted five times because of various equipment failures. Each elevated temperature run caused the coating to crack. The highest temperatures were recorded during the last run. Temperatures on the lower surface ranged from 2800 to 3195 F. The temperatures on the upper surface ranged from 2824 to 3176 F. An infrared heating system was developed for this program, capable of heating large structures to temperatures in excess of 3000 F.

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