Postflight aerothermodynamic analysis of Pegasus(tm) using computational fluid dynamic techniques

The objective was to validate the computational capability of the NASA Ames Navier-Stokes code, F3D, for flows at high Mach numbers using comparison flight test data from the Pegasus (tm) air launched, winged space booster. Comparisons were made with temperature and heat fluxes estimated from measurements on the wing surfaces and wing-fuselage fairings. Tests were conducted for solution convergence, sensitivity to grid density, and effects of distributing grid points to provide high density near temperature and heat flux sensors. The measured temperatures were from sensors embedded in the ablating thermal protection system. Surface heat fluxes were from plugs fabricated of highly insulative, nonablating material, and mounted level with the surface of the surrounding ablative material. As a preflight design tool, the F3D code produces accurate predictions of heat transfer and other aerodynamic properties, and it can provide detailed data for assessment of boundary layer separation, shock waves, and vortex formation. As a postflight analysis tool, the code provides a way to clarify and interpret the measured results.