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The response of the Space Shuttle Orbiter graphite/epoxy sandwich panels to exposure to moisture and heatThe Shuttle Orbiter Payload Bay Door is covered with graphite/epoxy sandwich panels. Their interaction with ground environments causes a moisture absorption of approximately 1.0% by weight at the time of launch. During the reentry phase the temperature of the outer facesheets rises to 177 C and their moisture content diminishes to 0.65%. In this condition the facesheet strength deteriorates significantly. Also, desorption of moisture produces an internal pressure in the panels of ca. 345 kPa. The paper discusses the prediction of expected moisture levels in the constituent parts of the sandwich panels. It describes further the test program necessary to assess the residual strength of the facesheets and the internal pressure capability of the sandwich panels.
Document ID
19790036085
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Zigrang, D. J.
(Rockwell International Corp. Tulsa, Okla., United States)
Bergmann, H. W.
(Deutsche Forschungs- und Versuchsanstalt fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt Braunschweig, Germany)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1978
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences, Congress
Location: Lisbon
Country: Portugal
Start Date: September 10, 1978
End Date: September 16, 1978
Sponsors: In: International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences
Accession Number
79A20098
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS1-4000
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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