Space Transportation System Technology Symposium. Volume 2 - Dynamics and Aeroelasticity

The Space Shuttle, being an hybrid – an airplane and a launch vehicle – represents the greatest challenge that the dynamicist and the aeroelastician have faced. Some specific problem areas related to the Space Shuttle are listed on figure 1.

Dynamics and aeroelasticity envelop many disciplines, including aerodynamics, vibration, random processes, structures, fluid flow, mechanics, etc., but, of more importance, they involve the interaction and coupling of many of these various disciplines. Fundamentally, we are concerned with structural integrity and safe flight, i.e., trying to ensure that the vehicle will remain structurally intact as well as function properly in the presence of the many faceted dynamic environment.

A new area which may have an impact on our task is the effect of the high temperature environment. In the past, we have been able to successfully decouple the temperature effects from our problem formulation. For the Space Shuttle, this problem must be closely reexamined.

As has been pointed out in the opening remarks of the Conference, the Dynamics and Aeroelasticity Technology Group comprises one of several technology groups which are attempting to provide the necessary research to support a successful and safe vehicle. The group has members from most of the NASA Centers as well as from the Air Force groups. We meet periodically to review ongoing work, search for new problem areas; and we are constantly updating and revising our program. The group is organized into three panels as shown on figure 2: a panel on Dynamic Loads and Response, one on Aeroelasticity, and one on Flight Dynamics and Environment. The Conference papers accordingly have been grouped in these same three areas, with each Panel Chairman acting as moderator for his particular session.