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I am trying to mathematically model the launch of the space shuttle (up to 120km altitude) from Cape Canaveral Florida. It would be really handy if I could check my calculations with some real launch data. However after some googling I couldn't really find anything except for the real basics. What I am looking for (per 20 seconds or so):

  • Altitude
  • Velocity
  • Acceleration
  • Angle of attack
  • Pitch angle
  • Throttle settings

The first three I could find here. Does anybody know where I could get the other data? For the velocity and the acceleration it would also be interesting to see them split up between X & Z direction.

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Partial answer (throttle settings):

Throttle settings varied per flight, and NASA quit publishing these Mission Reports a long time ago. But here are some numbers to get you started, from STS-81 (the last one I could find online).

enter image description here

For the 3-G throttling that starts at 012:09:34:51.537 and ends at 012:09:35:48.513 you can assume a linear ramp on the throttles; again it won't be exact.

Source: STS-81 Mission Report

Edit: From comments, here is how the Solid Rocket Booster thrust varied with time.

enter image description here

Source: Wikipedia

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  • $\begingroup$ Thank you very much, that already solves part of the question. Is it correct that the side rocket boosters are never throttled down? Or am I missing something $\endgroup$
    – ThaNoob
    Commented Aug 17, 2019 at 11:55
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    $\begingroup$ They had a built-in "throttle" that made their thrust change over time. Let me see if I can find a plot of that for you. $\endgroup$
    – Organic Marble
    Commented Aug 17, 2019 at 11:57

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