Aerothermodynamics

Abstract

The shape of an entry vehicle influences its performance primarily through the aerothermodynamic interaction with the atmosphere. In particular, the aerodynamic forces and moments, and the heat flux are crucial parameters driving the vehicle performance. Modelling the aerothermodynamic properties of re-entry vehicles is a highly complicated and multidisciplinary problem. For conceptual design optimization, incorporating a high-fidelity analysis in-the-loop is not feasible. Instead, we use local inclination methods for the aerodynamic behaviour, and analyze the heating of the vehicles only at key areas using (semi-)empirical relations. In this chapter, physical background of relevant aspects of hypersonic flow is reviewed, and the mathematical modelling approach we take here is presented.