FREE MOLECULE FLOW THEORY AND ITS APPLICATION TO THE DETERMINATION OF AERODYNAMIC FORCES

Abstract

The purpose of this analysis is twofold. It is designed as an introduction to free molecule flow theory for those with no background in rarefied gas dynamics or kinetic theory, and it presents an exact method for the determination of the forces and moments on bodies in a free molecule flow. Approximate methods are evaluated. Comparison with the exact method of this analysis shows that for molecular speed ratios AT SATELLITE ALTITUDES THE APPROXIMATE THEORIES, WHICH DO NOT COMPLETELY ACCOUNT FOR THE RANDOM MOTION OF THE IMPINGING MOLECULES, ARE SATISFACTORY FOR THE PREDICTION OF C sub N and C sub M. For elongated bodies at small angles of attack, the approximate methods are shown to be inadequate for the prediction of C sub A. Tables of certain functions requisite to the determination of free molecule aerodynamic coefficients are presented.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1961
Accession Number
AD0265409

Entities

People

  • Lee H. Sentman

Organizations

  • Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerodynamic Characteristics
  • Aerodynamic Forces
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Dynamics
  • Energy
  • Energy Transfer
  • Flow
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Frequency
  • Gas Dynamics
  • Heat Transfer
  • Kinetic Theory
  • Knudsen Number
  • Law
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Rarefied Gases

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Combustion and Flow Dynamics.
  • Quantum Chemistry
  • Theoretical Analysis.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris