HEAT TRANSFER TO BODIES TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED IN THE UPPER ATMOSPHERE

摘要

It was found that the aerodynamic heating problem in the absence of solar radiation, that is, for the case of nocturnal flight, becomes of negligible importance at altitudes of 125 miles and higher and up to steady flight speeds of 36,000 feet per second. The effect of solar radiation, for the case of daytime flight, becomes increasingly important as the flight altitude is increased. At an altitude of 150 miles and higher, solar radiation is the predominating factor that determines skin temperature. Owing to the strong effect of solar radiation on skin temperatures at high altitudes, the desirability of nocturnal flight is indicated in order to minimize skin temperatures.