A wind-tunnel study of the applicability of far-field sonic-boom theory to the space shuttle orbiter
Sonic boom characteristics of a 0.0004-scale model of the space shuttle orbiter were studied. Pressure signatures were measured at Mach numbers of 2.8 and 4.14 and at angles of attack of 0.3 deg, 19.0 deg, and 41.0 deg. To allow for observation of signature development and to provide data for extrapolation to larger distances, measurements were made at distances of from 8 to 32 body lengths. Relatively simple purely theoretical prediction methods provided reasonably accurate estimates of bow-shock overpressure and signature impulse.