Aerodynamics and Thermodynamics: Stage Separation - Aerodynamics and Flow Physics

This article gives an overview about the extensive numerical and experimental investigations conducted on the dominant flow phenomena and aerodynamic characteristics associated with the stage separation problem of two-stage-to-orbit space transport systems. Numerical studies are performed on generic twoand three-dimensional hypersonic bodies as well as on detailed vehicle geometries to critically assess the quality of the developed Euler/Navier-Stokes code. Flow field patterns demonstrating strong interference effects due to incident and reflected shock waves and expansion fans are analyzed in detail as well as corresponding surface pressure distributions and aerodynamic forces and moments of carrier and orbital stages. The influence of viscous effects including laminar and turbulent boundary layers is addressed as well. Very good agree- ment is found comparing numerical and experimental results substantiating the accuracy of the high fidelity flow solver data.