WIND-TUNNEL INVESTIGATION AT MACH NUMBERS FROM 1.60 TO 4.50 OF THE STATIC-STABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF TWO NONLIFTING VEHICLES SUITABLE FOR REENTRY

摘要

A static-stability investigation was conducted in the Langley Unitary Plan wind tunnel on models of two nonlifting reentry vehicles. These shapes are designed to use a heat sink and blunt form to combat the high heat rates encountered during reentry. For some of the tests, one of the models was changed by modifying the intersection of the face with the afterbody from a sharp corner to a rounded edge, and the other model was changed by adding a spike at the rear of the model. Tests were performed through an angle-of-attack range from approximately -4° to 184° and a Mach number range of 1.60 to 4.50. The Reynolds numbers per foot ranged from about 1.1 x 106 to 5.8 x 106.nThe results show that from a static-stability and trim standpoint, either model could successfully be used as a manned vehicle for reen¬tering the earth's atmosphere. It must be realized, however, that no dynamic effects have been taken into consideration. There was little or no effect of Reynolds number, in the range tested, on the axial-force and stability characteristics of any of the test configurations.