Title

Study of Hypersonic Aerodynamic Decelerators Incorporating Lift

Date

1961

Index Abstract

Contrails and DTIC

Photo Quality

Not Needed

Report Number

WADD TR 60-706

Creator

Hill, Jaques A. F.

Corporate Author

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Naval Supersonic Laboratory

Laboratory

Aeronautical Accessories Laboratory

Extent

213

Identifier

AD0253295

AD0253295

Access Rights

OTS

Distribution Classification

1

Contract

AF 33(616)-6474

DoD Project

None Given

DoD Task

61526

DTIC Record Exists

Yes

Distribution Change Authority Correspondence

AFFDL LTR

Special Scanning Requirements

Fold out pages

Report Availability

Full text available by request

Date Issued

1961-03

Abstract

An evaluation is presented of the use of lightweight lifting surfaces for the re-entry of earth satellites into the atmosphere. The flight paths considered begin with a pullout to horizontal flight high in the atmosphere. After some deceleration in horizontal flight the vehicle enters a classic equilibrium glide and eventually a subsonic glide to a landing point. The flight path is analyzed in a very general form and the results presented, which include estimates of the temperatures and deceleration rates encountered, are applicable for a very wide range of aerodynamic coefficients and wing loadings.
A general design for an inflatable vehicle is proposed, and results are presented of wind-tunnel tests of 22 variations of the basic configuration; the aerodynamic coefficients measured at M = 7.6 are approximately corrected to flight conditions at 24,000 ft/sec and 295,000 feet. Using these results, the wing loadings required to limit the heating to acceptable values are computed for a range of entry angles.
Finally, rough vehicle weight estimates are presented for a range of payload weights. It is concluded that the kind of vehicle proposed is useful for the re-entry of satellites at entry angles up to about 3°.

Subject

Deceleration

Hypersonic Flow

Pneumatic Equipment

Wings

Atmosphere Entry

Lift

Recovery

Reentry Vehicles

Publisher

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH : Wright Air Development Division, Air Research and Development Command, United States Air Force

Corporate Report Number

Technical Report 446

Distribution Conflict

No

Type

report

Provenance

Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control

IIT