RECENT AEROTHERMODYNAMIC FLIGHT MEASUREMENTS DURING SHUTTLE ORBITER REENTRY

All four Space Shuttle Orbiters, which are currently operational, have limited instrumentation packages that provide information about the a erothermodynamic environment. Heat transfer rates have been determined from the measured temperature histories using a simple technique. The experimental rates thus determined have been compared with previous f light data and with existing computations. The comparisons were used t o evaluate the data in general, to study viscous-inviscid interactions such as those due to body-flap deflections, and to evaluate possible flight anomalies.