Complete flowfields over low and wide angle AOTV conceptual configurations

Abstract

Flowfields over two conceptual aeroassisted orbital transfer vehicles, a moderate lift-to-drag ratio biconic, and an axisymmetric zero lift aerobrake are investigated. The solution procedures employ a compressible Navier-Stokes time-asymptotic technique for blunt body flow and a Parabolized Navier-Stokes spatial marching technique for the primarily supersonic shock layer flow over low-angle bodies. Emphasis is placed on the laminar convective heating predictions and comparisons to experimental data where available. Code robustness and solution times are discussed and guidelines are given for the specification of various numerical parameters. The Parabolized Navier-Stokes technique has a high probability of solution success for the range of applications considered herein, and very good comparisons with experimental heat-transfer data have been obtained. The blunt body Navier-Stokes code is more sensitive to parameter specification for the aerobrake calculations. Still, coarse grid solutions can be obtained quickly to get a good first cut at flowfield definition. Fair to good comparisons have been obtained between experimental heating and pressure data and coarse and fine grid solutions.