Basic governing equations for the flight regimes of aeroassisted orbital transfer vehiclesThe basic governing equations for the low-density, high-enthalpy flow regimes expected in the shock layers over the heat shields of the proposed aeroassisted orbital transfer vehicles are derived by combining and extending existing theories. The conservation equations are derived from gas kinetic principles for a four-component ionized gas consisting of neutral molecules, neutral atoms, singly ionized ions, and electrons, assuming a continuum flow. The differences among translational-rotational, vibrational, and electron temperatures are accounted for, as well as chemical nonequilibrium and electric-charge separation. Expressions for convective and viscous fluxes, transport properties, and the terms representing interactions among various energy modes are given explicitly. The expressions for the rate of electron-vibration energy transfer, which violates the Landau-Teller conditions, is derived by solving the system of master equations accounting for the multiple-level transitions.
Document ID
19840054862
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Lee, J.-H. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)