Problems Associated With Environmental Testing of Orbital and Space Vehicle Structures

Studies were performed to determine which environments are germane to simulation during structural verification tests on future aerospace vehicles. Missions of proposed orbital and space vehicles and associated environmental conditions are defined. Effects of both natural and induced environments on structures are discussed and those necessary for simulation are presented. Results conclude that critical environmental conditions are experienced during exit from and entry into the earth's atmosphere. For the most part, the effects of the space environment are relatively insignificant on vehicular structures. Present environmental structural testing capabilities for orbital and space vehicles are presented and future development needs predicted.