Aerothermodynamic Reentry Flight Experiments - EXPERT
Abstract
The paper addresses the ESA in flight Aerothermodynamic (ATD) research programme referred to as EXPERT: the European EXPerimental Re-entry Testbed. The objective of this in-flight research programme is to design and instrument generic configurations, for in-flight measurements of critical ATD phenomena using state-of-the-art instrumentation. Hypersonic flight data are required for improved understanding of the following critical ATD phenomena : 1) Transition, 2) Catalicity and oxidation, 3) Real gas effects on shock wave boundary layer interactions, 4) Microaerothermodynamics, and 5) Blackout. Special attention is given to the design of the flight measurement sensors themselves, their integration into the TPS as well as to the measurement of the free stream parameters during re-entry using an Air Data System. In addition to the procurement of good enough hypersonic data, the EXPERT programme includes also wind tunnel testing and numerical simulations to complete the above listed critical ATD validation process including wind tunnel to flight extrapolation activities. The present paper will report on: selection of reference mission profiles offered by Volna launcher, geometrical design optimisation of the configuration and elaborate on the embarked payloads for the provision of the hypersonic data associated with the above listed critical ATD phenomena.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA476526
Entities
People
- F. Cipollini
- H. Ottens
- J. Muylaert
- L. Walpot
Organizations
- European Space Agency