BOUNDARY LAYER TRANSITION EXPERIMENT BOLT1B
Abstract
BOLT 1B covers a re-flight mission of the former BOLT II (Boundary Layer Transition) project, which launched the BOLT 1 payload, with the objective to experimentally investigate the hypersonic boundary layer transition mechanisms from laminar to turbulent flow on a low-curvature concave surface with a swept leading edge. This shall be achieved during a captive-carry flight experiment on a sounding rocket at speeds exceeding Mach 7. The BOLT 1B project is coordinated by AFRL/AFOSR and will be carried out in collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratory Aerospace Systems Directorate (AFRL/RQ). The German Aerospace Center with its Mobile Rocket Base (MORABA) will customize the Black Brant 5 single stage Launch Vehicle System, coordinate the launch requirements with the proposed launch range and manage the launch operations. The payload mass will be optimized such that the Black Brant launch vehicle will reach Mach numbers between 7.0 - 7.5 during the ascent and descent phase. Furthermore, MORABA will provide the motor adapter and the Attitude Control System (ACS) consisting of the Service Module with an inertial navigation platform and the Cold Gas System (CGS). The BOLT 1B experimental stack, consisting of the forebody and the experimental service module, is provided by AFOSR/AFRL performers. The BOLT 1B mission goals require to conduct research to further develop the Launch Vehicle System and payload subsystems. In practice, MORABA will investigate methods for the shaping of the trajectory to reach the desired Mach numbers at lower elevation angles during the ascent and descent phase by simultaneously meeting the dispersion limits of the range. High velocities at low elevations angles increase the aerothermodynamic loads significantly. Mission-specific Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) needs to be developed and state-of-the-art heat protection materials have to be determined and tested. Advanced simulations require the support of the DoD high performance computing resources to validate the proposed solutions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 20, 2023
- Source ID
- FA95502210398
Entities
People
- Rainer Kirchhartz
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
- German Aerospace Center