S.A.E. National Aeronautic Meeting—2: Summaries of a Selection of the Papers Presented at the Meeting Held in Los Angeles, October 10–14, 1960

During the design of the Atlas I.C.B.M. it was considered necessary to conduct full‐scale combined structural loading and aerodynamic heating tests for the purpose of proving the ability of the nose adaptor and thrust barrel to withstand the combined effects of load and temperature. The following items were required to perform the tests: heating elements to radiate 450 sq. ft. of specimen area at a maximum rate of 10,000 B.T.U/sq. ft./hr., 1,500 KVA at 44 volts for six mins., controller, three variable pressure regulators for programming 3,000 lb./sq. in. hydraulic pressure to the loading cylinders, six‐channel programmer for varying heating and loading rates, a method for relating the capabilities of the equipment to the desired heat and load curves. Descriptions arc given of the heating equipment, heat controller, load controller, programmer, preliminary heat tests, preliminary load tests and test programmes as used by the Systems Test Laboratory of Convair‐Astronautics. As experience was gained by testing the need for preliminary tests was greatly reduced. The method described continues to be a valuable tool for performing full‐scale missile structural tests.