Effect of step and/or gap tile misalignment on shuttle transition

The effect of tile misalignment, simulating both step type and gap type misalignment was determined on transition locations in the plane of symmetry of the shuttle orbiter. Data were obtained in a closed circuit hypersonic tunnel with a 50-in. diameter test section providing a Mach number of 8 over a range of pressure levels from 345,000 N/sq m (50 psi) to 620 million N/sq m (900 psi). The stagnation temperature is sufficient to avoid air liquefaction in the test section.