A Preliminary Study Associated with the Experimental Measurement of the Aero-Optic Characteristics of Hypersonic Configurations
Abstract
A program of fundamental, experimental research and analysis has been conducted to design additional components necessary to modify, assemble and develop a ground-based facility (LENS) to duplicate flowfield environment around a hypersonic endo-atmospheric interceptor to evaluate optical seeker performance. Aero-optic instrumentation, used to measure the aero-optical characteristics of the viscous and shock layer over transpiration-and-filmed cooled nosetips at hypersonic speeds were also investigated. In the design of the facility, particular care was taken in designing the systems for a contamination-free hypersonic flow and in isolating the loads associated with the operation of the shock tunnel from the model support system and the aero- optic instrumentation. Five instrumentation systems, including holography, imagery, boresight/jitter, radiometry and spectrometry were evaluated to provide consistent evaluation in ENDO-LEAP mission environments. State-of-the-art CFD codes with capabilities determining the inherent salient flowfield features such as turbulence and reacting chemistry were investigated and the GASP code was selected as the basic computational method. The stress levels and motion of shock tunnels were studied and analyzed using two approaches, a numeric marching code and a numeric solution to the wave equation. A flight test program based on existing sounding rocket technology was examined in order to design a high confidence flight test to validate the LENS ground test results. Hypersonic Vehicles, Endo-Atmospheric Interceptor, Optical Seeker, Aero-Optics Instrumentation, GASP.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA253792
Entities
People
- Michael S. Holden
Organizations
- Calspan-University of Buffalo Research Center