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Space shuttle phase B wind tunnel model and test information. Volume 1: Booster configuration

Archived wind tunnel test data are available for flyback booster or other alternative recoverable configurations as well as reusable orbiters studied during initial development (Phase B) of the Space Shuttle. Considerable wind tunnel data was acquired by the competing contractors and the NASA Centers for an extensive variety of configurations with an array of wing and body planforms. All contractor and NASA wind tunnel test data acquired in the Phase B development have been compiled into a database and are available for application to current winged flyback or recoverable booster aerodynamic studies. The Space Shuttle Phase B Wind Tunnel Database is structured by vehicle component and configuration type. Basic components include the booster, the orbiter, and the launch vehicle. Booster configuration types include straight and delta wings, canard, cylindrical, retroglide and twin body. Orbiter configuration types include straight and delta wings, lifting body, drop tanks and double delta wings. Launch configurations include booster and orbiter components in various stacked and tandem combinations. This is Volume 1 (Part 2) of the report -- Booster Configuration.

Glynn, J. L.↗

Numerical simulation of a powered-lift landing

The flow field about a delta wing equipped with thrust reverse jets in slow speed flight near the ground has been computed. Results include the prediction of the flow about the delta wing at four fixed heights above the ground, and simulated landing, in which the delta wing descends towards the ground. Comparison of computed and experimental lift coefficients indicates that the simulations can capture at least the qualitative trends in lift-loss encountered by thrust-vectoring aircraft operating in ground effect.

Chawla, Kalpana↗

Space shuttle phase B wind tunnel test database

Archived wind tunnel test data are available for flyback booster or other alternate recoverable configurations as well as reusable orbiters studied during initial development (Phase B) of the Space Shuttle. Considerable wind tunnel data were acquired by competing contractors and NASA centers for an extensive variety of configurations with an array of wing and body planforms. This wind tunnel test data has been compiled into a database and are available for application to current winged flyback or recoverable booster aerodynamic studies. The Space Shuttle Phase B Wind Tunnel Database is structured by vehicle component and configuration type. Basic components include the booster, the orbiter and the launch vehicle. Booster configuration types include straight and delta wings, canard, cylindrical, retro-glide and twin body. Orbiter configuration types include straight and delta wings, lifting body, drop tanks and double delta wings.

Glynn, J. L.↗

Space shuttle phase B wind tunnel model and test information. Volume 2: Orbiter configuration

Archived wind tunnel test data are available for flyback booster or other alternative recoverable configurations as well as reusable orbiters studied during initial development (Phase B) of the Space Shuttle. Considerable wind tunnel data was acquired by the competing contractors and the NASA centers for an extensive variety of configurations with an array of wing and body planforms. All contractor and NASA wind tunnel test data acquired in the Phase B development have been compiled into a data base and are available for applying to current winged flyback or recoverable booster aerodynamic studies. The Space Shuttle Phase B Wind Tunnel Data Base is structured by vehicle component and configuration type. Basic components include the booster, the orbiter, and the launch vehicle. Booster configuration types include straight and delta wings, canard, cylindrical, retro-glide and twin body. Orbiter configuration types include straight and delta wings, lifting body, drop tanks, and double delta wings. Launch configuration types include booster and orbiter components in various stacked and tandem combinations.

Glynn, J. L.↗

Numerical simulation of STOL operations using thrust-vectoring

The flow field about a delta wing equipped with thrust reverser jets in slow speed flight near the ground has been computed. Results include the prediction of the flow about the delta wing at four fixed heights above the ground, and a simulated landing, in which the delta wing descends towards the ground. Comparison of computed and experimental lift coefficients indicates that the simulations can capture at least the qualitative trends in lift-loss encountered by thrust-vectoring aircraft operating in ground effect.

Chawla, Kalpana↗

The separated flow field on a slender wing undergoing transient pitching motions

The flow field surrounding a delta wing undergoing a transient pitching motion was studied experimentally. Of particular importance was the location of the leading edge vortices over the surface of the wing. The study was conducted on a 70-deg sweep flat-plate delta wing pitched about its one-half chord position. It is found that the maximum pitch rate is the key factor involved in the amount of lag experienced by the vortex breakdown during the transient pitching motion.

Thompson, S. A.↗

The use of a Navier-Stokes code in the wing design process

The feasibility was determined of incorporating the Navier-Stokes computational code, CFL3D, into the supersonic wing design process. The approach taken is of two steps. The first step was to calibrate CFL3D against existing experimental data sets obtained on thin sharp edged delta wings. The experimental data identified six flow types which are dependent on the similarity parameters of Mach number and angle of attack normal to the leading edge. The calibration showed CFL3D capable of simulating these various separated and attached flow conditions. The second step was to use CFL3D to study the initial formation of leading edge separation over delta wings at supersonic speeds. This consisted of examining solutions obtained on a 65 deg delta wing at Mach number of 1.6 with varying cross sectional shapes. Reynolds number was held constant at 1000000 and the Baldwin-Lomax turbulence model was used. The study showed that through the use of leading edge radius and/or camber, the onset of leading edge separation can be delayed to a higher angle of attack than observed on a flat sharp edged wing. Based on the geometries studied, three wind tunnel models are being designed to verify these results.

Mcmillin, S. Naomi↗

Wind tunnel pressure signatures for a 0.0041-scale model of the space shuttle orbiter

Pressure signatures for a 0.0041-scale model of a space shuttle orbiter were measured in a wind tunnel at Mach numbers from 1.30 to 3.02. The model was tested at 10 deg and 25 deg angle of attack and roll angles were varied from 0 deg to 180 deg in 30 deg increments. Comparisons of sonic boom levels were made for a delta wing configuration and for the space shuttle orbiter which were assumed to have identical lengths and entry trajectories. The sonic boom levels for the orbiter were slightly higher than those for the delta wing orbiter. An example is presented showing that the existing data base for the delta wing orbiter can be used to predict the ground level sonic booms for the orbiter.

Mendoza, J. P.↗

Further buffeting tests in a cryogenic wind tunnel

Further measurements of buffeting, using wing-root strain gauges, were made in the NASA Langley 0.3 m Cryogenic Wind Tunnel to refine techniques which will be used in larger cryogenic facilities such as the United States National Transonic Facility (NTF) and European Transonic Wind Tunnel (ETW). The questions addressed included the relative importance of variations in frequency parameter and Reynolds number, the choice of model material (considering both stiffness and damping) and the effects of static aeroelastic distortion. The main series of tests was made on half models of slender 65 deg delta wings with a sharp leading edge. The three delta wings had the same planform but widely different bending stiffness and frequencies (obtained by varying both the material and the thickness of the wings). It was known that the flow on this configuration would be insensitive to variations in Reynold number. Additional tests were made on one unswept half-wing of aspect ratio 1.5 with an NPL 9510 aerofoil section, known to be sensitive to variations in Reynolds number at transonic speeds. For brevity the test Mach numbers were restricted to M = 0.21 and 0.35 for the delta wings and to M = 0.30 for the unswept wing.

Mabey, D. G.↗

Buffeting tests in a cryogenic windtunnel

Measurements of wing buffeting, using root strain gages, were made in the NASA Langley 0.3 m cryogenic wind tunnel to refine techniques which will be used in larger cryogenic facilities such as the United States National Transonic Facility (NTF) and the European Transonic Wind Tunnel (ETW). The questions addressed included the relative importance variations in frequency parameter and Reynolds number, the choice of model material (considering both stiffness and damping) and the effects of static aeroelastic distortion. The main series of tests was made on three half models of slender 65 deg delta wings with a sharp leading edge. The three delta wings had the same planform but widely differing bending stiffnesses and frequencies (obtained by varying both the material and the thickness of the wings). It was known that the steady flow on this configuration would be insensitive to variations in Reynolds number. On this wing at vortex breakdown the spectrum of the unsteady excitation is unusual, having a sharp peak at particular frequency parameter. Additional tests were made on one unswept half-wing of aspect ratio 1.5 with an NPL 9510 aerofoil section, known to be sensitive to variations in Reynolds number at transonic speeds. The test Mach numbers were M = 0.21 and 0.35 for the delta wings and to M = 0.30 for the unswept wing. On this wing the unsteady excitation spectrum is fairly flat (as on most wings). Hence correct representation of the frequency parameter is not particularly important.

Mabey, D. G.↗

Navier-Stokes dynamics and aeroelastic computations for vortical flows, buffet and aeroelastic applications

The accomplishments achieved during the period include conference and proceedings publications, journal papers, and abstracts which are either published, accepted for publication or under review. Conference presentations and NASA highlight publications are also included. Two of the conference proceedings publications are attached along with a Ph.D. dissertation abstract and table of contents. In the first publication, computational simulation of three-dimensional flows around a delta wing undergoing rock and roll-divergence motions is presented. In the second publication, the unsteady Euler equations and the Euler equations of rigid body motion, both written in the moving frame of reference, are sequetially solved to simulate the limit-cycle rock motion of slender delta wings. In the dissertation abstract, unsteady flows around rigid or flexible delta wings with and without oscillating leading-edge flaps are considered.

Kandil, Osama A.↗

Measurements of canard-induced roll oscillations

A small canard wing was installed in front of a delta wing which was mounted on a free-to-roll sting balance in a low-speed wind tunnel. The leading edge vortices, originating from the canard, enhanced self-induced roll oscillations at test conditions for which the basic delta wing would otherwise have been stable. Time-dependent roll angle, and normal and side force data recorded during these oscillations are presented along with their phase relations. It was found that the canard increased the range of angle of attack at which self-induced oscillations occurred. Also, at an angle of attack of about 46 deg asymmetric oscillations are observed.

Katz, J.↗

Analysis and mitigation of numerical dissipation in inviscid and viscid computation of vortex-dominated flows

The conservative unsteady Euler equations for the flow relative motion in the moving frame of reference are used to solve for the steady and unsteady flows around sharp-edged delta wings. The resulting equations are solved by using an implicit approximately-factored finite volume scheme. Implicit second-order and explicit second- and fourth-order dissipations are added to the scheme. The boundary conditions are explicitly satisfied. The grid is generated by locally using a modified Joukowski transformation in cross flow planes at the grid chord stations. The computational applications cover a steady flow around a delta wing whose results serve as the initial conditions for the unsteady flow around a pitching delta wing about a large angle of attack. The steady results are compared with the experimental data and the periodic solution is achieved within the third cycle of oscillation.

Kandil, Osama A.↗

A full-potential theory analysis of the supersonic aerodynamics of a 60-deg delta wing-body configuration

Experimental spanwise pressure distributions for a 60-deg delta wing/body of approximate fineness ratio 7.6 have been obtained and compared to predictions using full-potential theory. Analysis was performed at Mach 1.6 for angles of attack in the range 0.8 to 10 deg, and for Mach numbers ranging from 1.4 to 1.8 at lift coefficients 0.3 and 0.4. The intent of the study was to examine an attached flow approach for maneuver wing design in the presence of a fuselage. For the Mach number, angle-of-attack conditions considered, the full-potential theory accurately modeled the pressure distributions provided the flow remained attached. By combining the full-potential theory results with an empirical shock-induced separation criterion, it was found that the onset of shock-induced separation can be predicted. The investigation showed that, if an attached-flow approach is used with an empirical method of indicating shock-induced separation, the full-potential method is capable of being used as an effective tool for designing maneuver wings.

Rose, O. C.↗

Effects of roughness on heating and boundary-layer transition. Part 1: Effects of simulated panel joints on boundary-layer transition

The effects of distributed roughness, arising from space shuttle orbiter panel joints, on boundary layer transition are investigated. The North American Rockwell 134B delta wing shuttle configuration was used for the study. Results show: (1) Premature boundary layer transition occurred in models having simulated heat shield panels with rased joints. (2) Laminar flow was maintained with slot type panel joint models to a Reynolds number twice that at which transition occurred in raised joints. (3) Significant increases in peak surface temperature and the time during which turbulent flow occurs may result from distributed roughness of heat shield panel joints. (4) Laminar and turbulent heating levels were predicted within available theories. (5) A complex interference between the wing and fuselage flow was observed in the delta wing model.

Seegmiller, H. L.↗

NASP aeroservothermoelasticity studies

Some illustrative results obtained from work accomplished under the aerothermoelasticity work breakdown structure (WBS) element of the National Aerospace Plane (NASP) Technology Maturation Program (TMP) are presented and discussed. The objectives of the aerothermoelasticity element were to develop analytical methods applicable to aerospace plane type configurations, to conduct analytical studies to identify potential problems, to evaluate potential solutions to problems, and to provide an experimental data base to verify codes and analytical trends. Work accomplished in the three areas of experimental data base, unsteady aerodynamics, and integrated analysis methodology are described. Some of the specific topics discussed are: (1) transonic wind tunnel aeroelastic model tests of cantilever delta wing models, of an all-moveable delta-wing model, and of aileron buzz models; (2) unsteady aerodynamic theory correlation with experiment and theory improvements; and (3) integrated analysis methodology results for thermal effects on vibration, for thermal effects on flutter, and for improving aeroelastic performance by using active controls.

Doggett, Robert V., Jr.↗

Numerical simulation of the leading-edge separation vortex for a wing and strake-wing configuration

In the present investigation, the 'thin layer' Navier-Stokes equations are used to compute the flow about a delta wing and a strake-delta wing configuration. Both configurations possess blunt noses and rounded leading edges. The computational grid about these configurations is generated using a newly developed three-dimensional grid-generation code which solves a set of Poisson equations with spherical coordinate variables using an alternating direction implicit (ADI) scheme. Computational results are obtained for an isolated wing with 60 deg sweep and a strake-wing configuration with 80-60 deg sweep. Computations for angles of attack in the range from 6 to 30 deg are presented. Attention is given to the effect of the angle of attack, the Mach number, and the Reynolds number. Theoretical results are compared with experimental data.

Fujii, K.↗

Comparisons of two-dimensional shock-expansion theory with experimental aerodynamic data for delta-planform wings at high supersonic speeds

An investigation has been conducted to explore the potential for optimizing airfoil shape at high supersonic speeds by utilizing the two-dimensional shock-expansion method. Theoretical and experimental force and moment coefficients are compared for four delta-planform semispan wings having a leading-edge sweep angle of 65 deg and incorporating modified diamond airfoils with a thickness-chord ratio of 0.06. The wings differ only in airfoil maximum-thickness position and camber. The experimental data are obtained at Mach numbers of 3.95 and 4.63 and at a Reynolds number of 9.84 million per meter. A relatively simple method is developed for predicting, in terms of lift-drag ratio, the optimum modified diamond airfoil at high supersonic and hypersonic speeds.

Jernell, L. S.↗