On Streamlining Vehicles for High-Altitude Hypersonic Flight

摘要

Drag minimization at a given flight condition in the near-continuum flow regime (Mach number over root of Reynolds number near 0.1) is discussed by examining recent theory and data for slender unyawed cones. For applications where the flight conditions excompass a semi-infinite portion of the transitional flow regime, a first-order estimate is presented of an average condition at which to design for minimal drag. The estimate depends on the drag coefficient curve, but not on the trajectory or atmospheric details. (Author)