Launch Vehicle Aerodynamics

DURATION: THREE DAYS
COURSE NO.: 5040

The space launch industry is undergoing rapid change with the privatization of many government operated space activities, commercialization and the growth of demand for satellites for communications, remote sensing, weather, etc. Competitive pressures are requiring the launch industry to cut costs and improve products. Moreover, new concepts may be off the drawing board within the next decade that will drastically alter the nature of space transportation. All these features require that the vehicular aerodynamics be understood and incorporated into the overall design. This course reviews the development of modern techniques in launch vehicle aerodynamics, elucidating features which are unique to launch vehicles. The state-of-the-art in analytical, numerical and experimental methods are discussed. The benefits and limitations of each, and the application of these methods at different stages of design are considered. Difficulties, problem areas and subtleties are highlighted. A critique of the aerodynamics of various launch vehicles will be given.

COURSE MATERIALS:
Include extensive notes and reference materials.

Theoretical aerodynamicists working with missiles and launch vehicles. Engineers involved in launch vehicle and missile design and systems engineering. Wind tunnel testing professionals and CFD experts.

Understanding of aerodynamics in competitive design. Testing and analysis methods in different speed regimes. Lessons learned from past failures and successes involving aerodynamics. Selection of different approaches advantages and limitations of each. Design tradeoffs between aerodynamics and other considerations. Modern challenges in aerodynamics, including airbreathing and SSTO/TSTO concepts.

1. Introduction.
   

   Definitions and nomenclature. Why aerodynamics? Fundamental concepts of aerodynamics.

2. Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics.
   

   Hydrostatics and the atmosphere. Fluid dynamics. Potential flow. Dimensional analysis, similitude and scaling.

3. Launch Vehicle and Missile Design.
   

   Brief overview of vehicle flight profile. Multistage vehicles. Strap-on motors. Hammerhead designs. Control fins and thrust vectoring. Packaging of missiles.

4. Determination of Aerodynamic Coefficients (Incompressible, Subsonic, Transonic, Supersonic and Hypersonic Regimes).
   

   Semi-empirical methods (Missile Datcom). Computational fluid dynamics: Euler and Navier-Stokes codes. Wind tunnel testing. Pros and cons of each method.

5. Problem Areas.
   

   Overpressure at lift-off. Booster separation. Asymmetry. Flow interference. Vibration and shock interactions. Plume interference. Aeroelastic behavior.

6. New Developments.
   

   Reusable vehicle designs. Winged boosters.