PrefaceThis master thesis represents the work that I have conducted at KAIST (Republic of Korea) from July 2013 until December 2013 and August 2014 until March 2015. During these period I have studied the field of aerothermodynamics, learned the necessary steps to conduct experiments individually, explored and studied various numerical programs to fulfill the goal of this research. This thesis is the final step in the journey to acquire the degree of Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology.This report consists of three main parts. One part discusses the shock tube and the fabrication of heat transfer gauges. The second part introduces the numerical programs which are used to simulate the conditions inside the shock tube and around the model, whereas the third part covers the theory regarding heat flux and catalycity. These three parts together form a chain of required steps to acquire the desired results for this thesis.