Direct simulation of three-dimensional hypersonic flow about intersecting blunt wedges
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Three-dimensional hypersonic rarefied flow about a delta wing at angle of incidence has been studied using the direct simulation Monte Carlo technique. Results are obtained for a transitional flow case which has been investigated in a nitrogen wind-tunnel experiment. The simulations are performed using a nonreacting, single-species gas model that accounts for rotational and vibrational internal energies. The computations yield an attached leeside flow associated with supersonic expansion over the leeside of the wing. Results are presented for the computed flowfield and surface quantities and overall aerodynamic coefficients.
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Calculated results for the flowfield structure and surface quantities are presented for an axisymmetric representation of an aeroassist flight experiment vehicle. The direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method is used to perform the calculations, since the flow is highly nonequilibrium about the vehicle during both the compression and expansion phases. The body configuration is an elliptically blunt nose followed by a skirt with a circular radius and an afterbody. Freestream conditions correspond to a single point along the entry trajectory at an altitude of 90 km and a velocity of 9.9 km/s. The calculations account for nonequilibrium in the translational and internal modes, dissociation, ionization, and thermal radiation. The degree of dissociation is large, but the maximum ionization is only about 2 percent by mole fraction. The blunt forebody flow experiences a high degree of thermal nonequilibrium in which the translational temperature is generally greater than the internal temperature. However, as the flow expands about the aerobrake skirt and afterbody, the internal temperature is generally greater than the translational temperature.
Three-dimensional hypersonic rarefied flow about the Aeroassist Flight Experiment (AFE) vehicle was studied using the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) technique. Results are presented for the transitional flow regime encountered between 120 and 200 km altitudes with a reentry velocity of 9.92 km/s. In the simulations, a five-species reacting real-gas model that accounts for internal energies (rotational and vibrational) is used. The results indicate that the transitional effects are significant even at an altitude of 200 km and influence the overall vehicle aerodynamics. For the cases considered, the aerodynamic coefficients, surface pressures, convective heating, and flow field structure variations with rarefaction effects are presented.
Results of a numerical study using the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method are presented for the transitional flow about a flat plate at 40 deg incidence. The plate has zero thickness and a length of 1.0 m. The flow conditions simulated are those experienced by the Shuttle Orbiter during reentry at 7.5 km/s. The range of freestream conditions are such that the freestream Knudsen number values are between 0.02 and 8.4, i.e., conditions that encompass most of the transitional flow regime. The DSMC simulations show that transitional effects are evident when compared with free molecule results for all cases considered. The calculated results demonstrate clearly the necessity of having a means of identifying the effects of transitional flow when making aerodynamic flight measurements as are currently being made with the Space Shuttle Orbiter vehicles. Previous flight data analyses have relied exclusively on adjustments in the gas-surface interaction models without accounting for the transitional effect which can be comparable in magnitude. The present calculations show that the transitional effect at 175 km would increase the Space Shuttle Orbiter lift-drag ratio by 90 percent over the free molecule value.
Monte Carlo simulation of nonequilibrium vibrational relaxation of (rotationless) N2 using transition probabilities form an extended SSH theory is presented. For the range of temperatures considered, 4000-8000 K, the vibrational levels were found to be reasonably close to an equilibrium distribution at an average vibrational temperature based on the vibrational energy of the gas. As a result, they do not show any statistically significant evidence of the bottleneck observed in earlier studies of N2. Based on this finding, it appears that, for the temperature range considered, dissociation commences after all vibrational levels equilibrate at the translational temperature.
A unique and versatile vacuum chamber has been designed for JPL's IR Focal Plane Technology Group. This chamber is equipped with multiple ports for cryogen and electrical vacuum feedthroughs, pumping units, vacuum gages, sources, and detector camera heads. The design incorporates a liquid-nitrogen-cooled optical table and radiation shield for low-background IR detector testing. Focal planes can be tested at temperatures ranging from 300 K to that of liquid helium. This paper describes the design and construction of this low-background IR focal plane test chamber and discusses some of its distinctive features. An analysis of the test chamber's performance is also presented.
A review of the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method of Bird is presented. The DSMC method provides the capability of simulating real gas flows in the rarefield flow regime. Recent developments and applications of the method for hypersonic flows are reported for both ground-based tests and during entry. The flows considered were three-dimensional, and both an existing general code and a new code under development were used.
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A Monitoring X-Ray Equipment (MOXE) is being developed for the Soviet Spectrum-X-Gamma Mission. MOXE is an X-ray all-sky monitor based on array of pinhole cameras, to be provided via a collaboration between Goddard Space Flight Center and Los Alamos National Laboratory. The objectives are to alert other observers on Spectrum-X-Gamma and other platforms of interesting transient activity, and to synoptically monitor the X-ray sky and study long-term changes in X-ray binaries. MOXE will be sensitive to source as faint as 2 milliCrab (5 sigma) in 1 day, and cover the 2 to 20 KeV band.
Video Image Communication and Retrieval (VICAR) package of computer programs is general-purpose image-processing software system. Intended for processing data from Jet Propulsion Laboratory's unmanned planetary spacecraft, now used in variety of other applications, including processing of biomedical images, cartography, studies of Earth resources, and geological exploration. Development of newest version of VICAR emphasizes standardized, easily-understood user interface, shield between user and host operating system, and comprehensive array of image-processing capabilities.
As the capability of the space transportation vehicles (STV's) expand to meet the requirements for future space exploration and utilization, the effects of rarefied hypersonic flows will play a more significant role in defining the aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic performance of STV's. This is particularly true of the low lift/drag aeroassisted STV's where aerobraking occurs at relatively high altitudes and high velocity. Because of the limitations of the continuum description as expressed by the Navier-Stokes equations and the difficulties of solving the Boltzmann equation, the particle of molecular approach has been developed over the last three decades for modeling rarefied gas effects. The direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method of Bird is the most used method today for simulating rarefied flows. The DSMC method provides a direct physical simulation as opposed to a numerical solution of a set of model equations. This is accomplished by developing phenomenological models of the relevant physical events. The DSMC method accounts for translational, thermal, chemical, and radiative nonequilibrium effects. The general features of the DSMC method, the numerical requirements for obtaining meaningful results, the modeling used to simulate high temperature gas effects, and applications of the method to calculate the flow about an aeroassist flight experiment vehicle (AFE) are reviewed. The AFE simulates a geosynchronous return while entering the Earth's upper atmosphere at approximately 10 km/s. Results obtained using a general 3-D code are presented for the more rarefied portion of the atmospheric encounter (altitudes of 200 to 100 km) emphasizing surface, flowfield, and aerodynamic characteristics of the AFE. Finally, results obtained using axisymmetric and 1-D versions of the code are presented for lower altitude conditions.
A rigid, 1/6 size, full span model of an F-18 airplane was fitted with flexible vertical tails of two different levels of stiffness that were buffet tested in the Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel. Vertical tail buffet response results that were obtained over the range of angles of attack from -10 to 40 degs, and over the range of Mach numbers from 0.30 to 0.95 are presented. These results indicate the following: (1) the response occurs in the first bending mode; (2) the response increases with increasing dynamic pressure, but changes in response are not linearly proportional to the changes in dynamic pressure; (3) the response is larger at M = 0.30 than it is at the higher Mach numbers; (4) the maximum intensity of the buffeting is described as heavy to severe using an assessment criteria proposed by another investigator; and (5) the data at different dynamic pressures and for the different tails correlate reasonably well using the buffet excitation parameter derived from the dynamic analysis of buffeting.
Twenty-six stainless steel trunnion samples, five aluminum end support retainer plate samples, two aluminum keel plate samples, and two titanium clips were analyzed. The shielded high purity germanium detectors used had efficiencies of 33, 54, and 80 pcts. at 1332 keV. Detector efficiencies as a function of energy and corrections for self absorption in the samples were determined with calibrated sources, unactivated control samples, and calculations. Several measurements were made on most samples. In the trunnion samples, Mn-54 and Co-57 were seen and limits were obtained for other isotopes. The results agree well with 1-D activation calculations for an anisotropic trapped proton model. In the aluminum samples, Na-22 and Be-7 were seen. Other results are presented.
WetNet is an interdisciplinary Earth science data analysis and research project with an emphasis on the study of the global hydrological cycle. The project goals are to facilitate scientific discussion, collaboration, and interaction among a selected group of investigators by providing data access and data analysis software on a personal computer. The WetNet system fulfills some of the functionality of a prototype Product Generation System (PGS), Data Archive and Distribution System (DADS), and Information Management System for the Distributed Active Archive Center. The PGS functionality is satisfied in WetNet by processing the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) data into a standard format (McIDAS) data sets and generating geophysical parameter Level II browse data sets. The DADS functionality is fulfilled when the data sets are archived on magneto optical cartridges and distributed to the WetNet investigators. The WetNet data sets on the magneto optical cartridges contain the complete WetNet processing, catalogue, and menu software in addition to SSM/I orbit data for the respective two week time period.
Results of a numerical study using the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method are presented for hypersonic rarefied flow about a 1.6-m-diameter sphere. The flow conditions considered are those experienced by a typical satellite in orbit or by a space vehicle during entry. The altitude range considered is that from 90 to 200 km, which encompasses the near continuum, transitional and free-molecular flow regimes. A freestream velocity of 7.5 km/s is assumed in the simulations. The results show that transitional effects are significant at all altitudes below 200 km, but at 200 km the flow about the sphere attains the free-molecular limit. Very little chemical activity is present above 120 km. Both the stagnation point heat transfer and the sphere drag approach their respective free molecule values at 200 km. Results highlight the thermal and chemical nonequilibrium nature of the flowfield. Nonequilibrium effects on the surface heating and body drag are also investigated.