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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 343 records · Page 19
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1980

Hypersonic and planetary entry flight mechanics

The book treats hypersonic flight trajectories and atmospheric entry flight mechanics in light of their importance for space shuttle entry. Following a review of the structures of planetary atmospheres and aerodynamic forces, equations are derived for flight over a spherical planet, and the performance of long-range hypervelocity vehicles in extra-atmospheric flight is analyzed. Consideration is then given to vehicle trajectories in the powered and atmospheric reentry phases of flight, and several first-order solutions are derived for various planetary entry situations. The second-order theory of Loh for entry trajectories is presented along with the classical theories of Yaroshevskii and Chapman for entry into planetary atmospheres, and the thermal problems encountered in hypersonic flight are analyzed. A unified theory for entry into planetary atmospheres is then introduced which allows the performance of a general type of lifting vehicle to be studied, and applied to the analysis of orbit contraction due to atmospheric drag, flight with lift modulation and lateral maneuvers.

Vinh, N. X.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Explanation of the hypersonic longitudinal stability problem: Lessons learned

Inviscid and viscous CFD codes have been applied to a modified Space Shuttle orbiter geometry to investigate differences between preflight aerodynamic predictions and aerodynamic data from hypersonic reentry flight. Flow field solutions were obtained for wind tunnel conditions and flight conditions to assess Mach number, real-gas, and viscous effects on the reentry aerodynamics of the orbiter. Based on the CFD studies, a methodology model has been developed to (1) extrapolate wind tunnel data to flight conditions and (2) calculate a DCM for use with the Aerodynamic Design Data Book. Comparisons are made with selected flight data. Results of the study indicate that the differences between flight and pre-STS-1 predictions of hypersonic pitching moment are primarily due the to Mach number and real-gas effects.

Griffith, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Nonlinear potential analysis techniques for supersonic-hypersonic configuration design

Approximate nonlinear inviscid theoretical techniques for predicting aerodynamic characteristics and surface pressures for relatively slender vehicles at moderate hypersonic speeds were developed. Emphasis was placed on approaches that would be responsive to preliminary configuration design level of effort. Second order small disturbance and full potential theory was utilized to meet this objective. Numerical pilot codes were developed for relatively general three dimensional geometries to evaluate the capability of the approximate equations of motion considered. Results from the computations indicate good agreement with higher order solutions and experimental results for a variety of wing, body and wing-body shapes for values of the hypersonic similarity parameter M delta approaching one. Case computational times of a minute were achieved for practical aircraft arrangements.

Clever, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Hypersonic characteristics of an advanced aerospace plane

A series of hypersonic wind-tunnel tests have been conducted in the NASA Langley Hypersonic Facilities Complex to obtain the static longitudinal and lateral-directional aerodynamic characteristics of an advanced aerospace plane. Data were obtained at 0 to 20 deg angles of attack and -3 to 3 deg angles of sideslip at Mach numbers of 6 and 10 in air and 20 in helium. Results show that stable trim capability exists at angles of attack near maximum lift-drag ratio (L/D). Both performance and stability exhibited some Mach number dependency. The vehicle was longitudinally unstable at low angles of attack but stable at angles of attack near and above maximum L/D. It was directionally unstable with positive dihedral effect. The rudder showed an inability to provide lateral-directional control, and removing the vertical tail resulted in increased directional instability. Analytical predictions of the static longitudinal aerodynamic coefficients gave relatively good comparisons with the experimental data.

Mccandless, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1985

NASA's hypersonic fluid and thermal physics program (Aerothermodynamics)

This survey paper gives an overview of NASA's hypersonic fluid and thermal physics program (recently renamed aerothermodynamics). The purpose is to present the elements of, example results from, and rationale and projection for this program. The program is based on improving the fundamental understanding of aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic flow phenomena over hypersonic vehicles in the continuum, transitional, and rarefied flow regimes. Vehicle design capabilities, computational fluid dynamics, computational chemistry, turbulence modeling, aerothermal loads, orbiter flight data analysis, orbiter experiments, laser photodiagnostics, and facilities are discussed.

Graves, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Buckling behavior of Rene 41 tubular panels for a hypersonic aircraft wing

The buckling characteristics of Rene 41 tubular panels for a hypersonic aircraft wing were investigated. The panels were repeatedly tested for buckling characteristics using a hypersonic wing test structure and a universal tension/compression testing machine. The nondestructive buckling tests were carried out under different combined load conditions and in different temperature environments. The force/stiffness technique was used to determine the buckling loads of the panel. In spite of some data scattering, resulting from large extrapolations of the data fitting curve (because of the termination of applied loads at relatively low percentages of the buckling loads), the overall test data correlate fairly well with theoretically predicted buckling interaction curves. Also, the structural efficiency of the tubular panels was found to be slightly higher than that of beaded panels.

Ko, W. L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Theory of idealized two-dimensional ballute in Newtonian hypersonic flow

A differential equation governing the geometry of a two-dimensional ballute in hypersonic flow and its constraining boundary conditions are derived under idealized assumptions. By solving these equations, the shape of the ballute is determined over a range of conditions. Lift, drag, pitching moment, and the allowed limit of center-of-gravity location for stability (meta-center) are then calculated using Newtonian hypersonic approximation. It is shown that the meta-center occurs near the forward end because of compliance of the ballute membrane to the shock layer pressures, especially at low free-stream densities. In order for the vehicle employing the ballute to be stable at all densities, the center of gravity must be within approximately the forward 20 percent of overall length of the vehicle. However, typical flight trajectories of an aeroassisted orbital transfer vehicle employing the ballute for aerobraking show that the vehicle may be able to complete its atmospheric flight without tumbling provided that the center of gravity is located within the forward 43 percent of the vehicle length because of the relatively short duration of flight through the destabilizing low-density regime.

Park, C.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Addressing the hypersonic simulation problem

The hypersonic simulation problem is solved by the meshing of bench-marked experimental data with results from validated computational fluid dynamic codes. The example presented is for the reentry of the Space Shuttle Orbiter. Mach number effects were assessed by parametrically varying free-stream Mach number and angle of attack in a series of inviscid, perfect-gas computations carried out on a modified Orbiter geometry. Real-gas effects were determined by making calculations at specific points of the reentry trajectory using equilibrium air thermodynamics and comparing with corresponding perfect-gas computations. Viscous computations were also made for both the basic Orbiter body and control surfaces. A methodology is developed that permits the extrapolation of wind tunnel data to flight situations, providing a solution to the hypersonic simulation problem.

Griffith, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Hypersonic aerothermodynamics status report

This survey paper gives an overview of NASA's Aerothermodynamics program. The purpose is to present the elements of, example results from, and projected technology needs for hypersonic fluid and thermal physics. The NASA program is focused on improving the fundamental understanding of aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic flow phenomena over hypersonic vehicles operating in the continuum, transitional, and free molecule flow regime. Vehicle design capabilities, computational fluid dynamics, computational chemistry, turbulence modeling, aerothermal loading, Shuttle Orbiter flight data analysis, and aerothermal facilities are discussed.

Graves, R. A., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Langley hypersonic facilities complex - Description and application

The Langley Hypersonic Facilities Complex (HFC) consists of hypersonic, blowdown wind tunnels developed and put into operation between the late 1950's and early 1970's. These facilities complement one another to presently provide ranges of Mach number from 6 to 22, unit Reynolds number from 0.1 to 15 million per foot, and normal shock density ratio from 4 to 12. Descriptions of these facilities are presented along with the testing techniques routinely used. Examples of the application of the HFC to generate data bases for proposed entry vehicles and for the verification of computer codes are given. Plans to upgrade the facilities to improve flow quality, productivity, capability and reliability are discussed.

Miller, C. G.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Buckling behavior of Rene 41 tubular panels for a hypersonic aircraft wing

The buckling characteristics of Rene 41 tubular panels for a hypersonic aircraft wing were investigated. The panels were repeatedly tested for buckling characteristics using a hypersonic wing test structure and a universal tension/compression testing machine. The nondestructive buckling tests were carried out under different combined load conditions and in different temperature environments. The force/stiffness technique was used to determine the buckling loads of the panels. In spite of some data scattering resulting from large extrapolations of the data-fitting curve (because of the termination of applied loads at relatively low percentages of the buckling loads), the overall test data correlate fairly well with theoretically predicted buckling interaction curves. Also, the structural efficiency of the tubular panels was found to be slightly higher than that of beaded panels.

Ko, W. L.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Numerical simulation of the hypersonic flow around lifting vehicles

A method for solving the viscous hypersonic flow field around realistic configurations is presented. The numerical procedure for generating the required finite difference grid and the two-factored implicit flow solver are described. Results are presented for the shuttle orbiter and a generic wing-body configuration at hypersonic Mach numbers.

Rizk, Yehia↗
NASA NTRS1987

Hypersonic flow analysis

While the zonal grid system of Transonic Navier-Stokes (TNS) provides excellent modeling of complex geometries, improved shock capturing, and a higher Mach number range will be required if flows about hypersonic aircraft are to be modeled accurately. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code, the Compressible Navier-Stokes (CNS), is under development to combine the required high Mach number capability with the existing TNS geometry capability. One of several candidate flow solvers for inclusion in the CNS is that of F3D. This upwinding flow solver promises improved shock capturing, and more accurate hypersonic solutions overall, compared to the solver currently used in TNS.

Chow, Chuen-Yen↗
NASA NTRS1987

Nonequilibrium effects for hypersonic transitional flows

Presented are the results of numerical simulations of hypersonic flow about blunt cones and hemispherical nose configurations for reentry velocities of 7.5 and 10 km/s. Cone half angles 0, 5, and 10 deg are considered at zero angle of incidence; however, the focus is for the 5 deg cone. The body size and altitude ranges considered (70 to 110 km) are such that the flow is in the transitional regime. Translational, thermodynamic, and chemical nonequilibrium effects are considered in the numerical simulation by utilizing the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method of Bird. The DSMC results are compared with those obtained with viscous shock-layer and Navier-Stokes methods. Comparisons between the DSMC and continuum calculations show the altitude range where differences in flowfield structure and surface quantities become significant. The current calculations show that the binary scaling similitude provides a means of correlating the blunt body surface quantities in the hypersonic, transitional regime. Furthermore, for the higher velocity entry conditions, the results highlight some of the concerns in the application of multitemperature continuum formulations, particularly the use of some proposed functional relations for the chemical rate constants under thermodynamic nonequilibrium conditions.

Moss, James N.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Displacement surface calculations for a hypersonic aircraft

A method is presented to calculate the three-dimensional displacement surface about a hypersonic aircraft. This calculation requires a flow-field-solution to at least the thin-layer Navier-Stokes equations about the aircraft as input. An upwind, finite-volume code developed at NASA Langley Research Center was used to obtain the flow-field solution. The displacement surface is the three-dimensional counterpart to the two-dimensional displacement thickness. Flow-field solutions, along with the displacement surface calculations, are presented for a generic hypersonic aircraft at a Mach number of 24.5 and angle of attack of zero and one degree.

Richardson, Pamela F.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Aerodynamic design modification of a hypersonic wind tunnel nozzle by CSCM with high order accuracy

An improved version of the CSCM implicit Navier-Stokes solver with a flexible data structure has been applied, in conjunction with a sophisticated patched grid system, to the aerodynamic analysis of hypersonic axisymmetric contoured nozzles of the NASA-Ames 3.5-foot hypersonic wind tunnel. The results obtained are found to be in good agreement with experiment. Based on the analysis, a newly designed throat contour for the Mach 14 nozzle has been recommended.

Yang, J. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A feasibility study of a hypersonic real-gas facility

A four month feasibility study of a hypersonic real-gas free flight test facility for NASA Langley Research Center (LARC) was performed. The feasibility of using a high-energy electromagnetic launcher (EML) to accelerate complex models (lifting and nonlifting) in the hypersonic, real-gas facility was examined. Issues addressed include: design and performance of the accelerator; design and performance of the power supply; design and operation of the sabot and payload during acceleration and separation; effects of high current, magnetic fields, temperature, and stress on the sabot and payload; and survivability of payload instrumentation during acceleration, flight, and soft catch.

Gully, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Numerical simulation of the hypersonic flow around lifting vehicles

A method of solving the viscous hypersonic flow field around realistic configurations is presented. The numerical procedure for generating the required finite difference grid and the two-factored implicit flow solver are described. Results are presented for the shuttle orbiter and a generic wing-body configuration at hypersonic Mach numbers.

Rizk, Yehia↗