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NASA and ESA Ground Facility Simulations of Shuttle Orbiter AerothermodynamicsThe paper reviews a combined numerical and experimental activity on the Shuttle Orbiter, first performed at NASA Langley within the OEX workshop and subsequently at ESA, as part of the AGARD FDP WG 18 activities. The study at Langley was undertaken to resolve the pitch up anomaly observed during the entry of the first flight of the Shuttle Orbiter. The facilities used at NASA Langley were the 15-in. Mach 6, the 20-in, Mach 6, the 31-in. Mach 10 and the 20-in. Mach 6 CF4 facility. The paper focuses on the high Mach, high altitude portion of the first entry of the Shuttle where the vehicle exhibited a nose-up pitching moment relative to pre-flight prediction of (Delta C(sub m)) = 0 03. In order to study the relative contribution of compressibility, viscous interaction and real gas effects on basic body pitching moment and flap efficiency, an experimental study was undertaken to examine the effects of Mach, Reynolds and ratio of specific heats at NASA. At high Mach, a decrease of gamma occurs in the shock layer due to high temperature effects. The primary effect of this lower specific heat ratio is a decrease of the pressure on the aft windward expansion surface of the Orbiter causing the nose-up pitching moment. Testing in the heavy gas, Mach 6 CF4 tunnel, gave a good simulation of high temperature effects.
Document ID
19980018694
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Muylaert, J.
(European Space Agency. European Space Research and Technology Center, ESTEC Noordwijk, Netherlands)
Rostand, P.
(Dassault Aviation Saint-Cloud, France)
Rapuc, M.
(Dassault Aviation Saint-Cloud, France)
Paulson, J.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA United States)
Brauckmann, G.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA United States)
Trockmorton, D.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA United States)
Steijl, R.
(Technische Univ. Delft, Netherlands)
Date Acquired
August 17, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1997
Publication Information
Publication: Future Aerospace Technology in the Service of the Alliance
Volume: 3
Subject Category
Research And Support Facilities (Air)
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
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