The classical Navier-Stokes equations can be obtained from a first order approximation of the solution of Boltzmann kinetic theory which is derived on the basis of monatomic gases or volumeless points. Therefore, the induced effects of angular momentum of diatomic molecules on the global flow behavior can not be obtained using classical theories and numerical simulation of hypersonic rarefied gas flows involving diatomic molecules using classical Navier-Stokes theory is criticized. This article presents an extension of a Morphing Continuum Theory (MCT), that accounts for the coupling between translational and rotational degrees of freedom, to hypersonic gas flows. The governing equations are presented, and detailed verification and validation of a finite volume solver are discussed. The results are compared with experimental data and other numerical simulations found in the literature.
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