A Study of Rocket Exhaust Plumes and Impingement Effects on Spacecraft Surfaces: Executive Summary

摘要

Computation of the plume flow quantities and of the resulting impingement force and moment by simple models is treated. The main features of the plume flow and of the plume impingement process are outlined. Theoretical concepts for plume flow models and impingement models in continuum, transition and free molecular flow are presented. Results for typical thrustors and impingement calculations for the OTS and ECS satellites are outlined. Computer programs developed to analyze plumes are described.