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Thomas, C. L.

Publications and source records attributed to Thomas, C. L..

Pressure signatures for the Apollo command module and the Saturn 5 launch vehicle with a discussion of strong shock extrapolation procedures

Wind tunnel pressure signatures measured at Mach 10.1 for model of the Apollo Command Module and at Mach numbers from 3.01 to 7.91 for two models of the Saturn launch configuration are presented. The signatures for the command module were obtained at roll angles ranging from 0 deg to 180 deg. A brief discussion of the extrapolation of strong pressure signatures is included in the report.

Hicks, R. M.↗

Aerodynamic characteristics of an all-body hypersonic aircraft configuration at Mach numbers from 0.65 to 10.6

Aerodynamic characteristics of a model designed to represent an all body, hypersonic cruise aircraft are presented for Mach numbers from 0.65 to 10.6. The configuration had a delta planform with an elliptic cone forebody and an afterbody of elliptic cross section. Detailed effects of varying angle of attack (-2 to +15 deg), angle of sideslip (-2 to +8 deg), Mach number, and configuration buildup were considered. In addition, the effectiveness of horizontal tail, vertical tail, and canard stabilizing and control surfaces was investigated. The results indicate that all configurations were longitudinally stable near maximum lift drag ratio. The configurations with vertical tails were directionally stable at all angles of attack. Trim penalties were small at hypersonic speeds for a center of gravity location representative of the airplane, but because of the large rearward travel of the aerodynamic center, trim penalties were severe at transonic Mach numbers.

Nelms, W. P., Jr.↗