Qualification of the Space Shuttle Orbiter Radiator System

The Space Shuttle Orbiter Radiator and Flow Control Assembly have been structurally and thermally qualified for operational flight through a series of element and individual panel ground tests and flight tests. Extensive analyses in conjunction with the testing provided a weight optimum system without the excessive over design usually associated with large systems which operate in environments that are difficult to simulate. The initial two flight tests of the Orbiter have verified the test and analyses procedure.