EXPERIMENTAL DETERMINATION OF AERODYNAMIC DRAG ON A BLUNTED 10-DEG CONE AT ANGLES OF ATTACK IN HYPERSONIC, RAREFIED FLOW

摘要

Aerodynamic drag on spherically capped cones of 10-deg half-angle, with and without conical afterbodies, has been measured in hypersonic, low-density flow of nitrogen and argon. Reynolds numbers varied from 375 to 3200, based on model characteristic length and free-stream con¬ditions. Mach numbers were from 7.5 to 12. 3. Angle of attack ranged from 0 to 40 deg and from 140 to 170 deg. Essential aerodynamic con¬ditions of early entry into the atmospheres of Earth or Mars were simulated.nResults have been compared with modified Newtonian and free-molecule calculations. Effects of hypersonic rarefied flow are apparent, drag coefficients being as much as double the Newtonian value in spite of the very bluff shapes. A useful correlation procedure for a large class of similar bodies is suggested.