Computer simulation of supersonic rarefied gas flow in the transition region, about a spherical probe; a Monte Carlo approach with application to rocket-borne ion probe experiments

This report describes a Monte Carlo simulation of transition flow around a sphere. Conditions for the simulation correspond to neutral monatomic molecules at two altitudes (70 and 75 km) in the D region of the ionosphere. Results are presented in the form of density contours, velocity vector plots and density, velocity and temperature profiles for the two altitudes. Contours and density profiles are related to independent Monte Carlo and experimental studies, and drag coefficients are calculated and compared with available experimental data. The small computer used is a PDP-15 with 16 K of core, and a typical run for 75 km requires five iterations, each taking five hours. The results are recorded on DECTAPE to be printed when required, and the program provides error estimates for any flow field parameter.