Effects of Subsonic, Supersonic, Hypersonic, and Orbital Environments on Structures

Preliminary selection of basic materials for flight vehicles is based on Mach number-altitude orientation, which includes turbulent flow to laminar flow location and effects. Structural weights and materials as a function of temperature are presented for both protected and unprotected primary structures. Design considerations and material selections for other pertinent items such as inlets, nose cones, leading edges, and transparencies are also considered.