Simple Formulas for Stagnation-Point Convective Heat Loads in Lunar Return

Simple formulas are given for the stagnation-point convective heat 1 loads in lunar return for two operational modes. The two modes of operation analyzed are typical of moderate heating and of nearly minimum heat loads, respectively. The values of the parameters in a simple two- parameter formula for the total-heat load are given in the lift-drag-ratio range of 0.2 to 1.0 and in the peak loading range of 2g to 10g. For vehicles having a lift-drag ratio near 0.5, which is typical of many proposed lunar return vehicles, the nominal mode had about 20 percent more absorption than the nearly minimum mode.