Hypersonic ionizing air viscous shock-layer flows over nonanalytic blunt bodies

Abstract

The equations which govern the viscous shock-layer flow are presented and the method by which the equations are solved is discussed. The predictions of the present finite-difference method are compared with other numerical predictions as well as with experimental data. The principal emphasis is placed on predictions of the viscous flowfield for the windward plane of symmetry of the space shuttle orbiter and other axisymmetric bodies which approximate the shuttle orbiter geometry. Experimental data on two slender sphere-cones at hypersonic conditions are also considered. The present predictions agreed well with experimental data and with the past predictions. Substantial differences were found between present predictions and more approximate methods.