| Because the mode of heat transfer involved is steady state one dimensional conduction through the TPS thermal tiles, the following equation Eqn. D3 applies. |
qx = -k A (dT/dX) qx = Heat Flux Through Material Direction X k = Thermal Conductivity of Material A = Area of Conduction in Direction X (dT/dX) = Incremental Time Over Incremental Length |
| Eqn. D3 is a linear function which means the assumption that a linear straight line relationship exists between the thickness of the TPS material and the resultant skin temperature is completely reasonable. Therefore: the straight line can approximate any coefficient value for TPS effectiveness between 0 and 1. |