Aerodynamic modeling and assessment of flaps for hypersonic trajectory control of blunt bodies

Sepulveda, Jose

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/98438 Copy

Description

Title

Aerodynamic modeling and assessment of flaps for hypersonic trajectory control of blunt bodies

Author(s)

Sepulveda, Jose

Issue Date

2017-07-21

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Putnam, Zachary R.

Department of Study

Aerospace Engineering

Discipline

Aerospace Engineering

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• Flaps
• Trim-tabs
• Blunt-bodies
• Hypersonic trajectory control

Abstract

Independently articulated aerodynamic flaps on a blunt-body entry vehicle may provide a feasible alternative to current state-of-the-art bank-angle steering control while introducing additional benefits during entry, descent, and landing. Flaps provide direct control of the vehicle’s lift and drag vectors, eliminating the need for a center of gravity offset and enabling a relatively constant vehicle attitude. A near-constant attitude may allow the use of relative navigation sensors and regional-scale science instruments during the hypersonic portion of entry. Direct aerodynamic vector control also enables active regulation of heating and reduces or eliminates the need for a reaction control system in the hypersonic regime. The Configuration-Based Aerodynamics tool was used to predict the trim angle of attack, trim lift-to-drag ratio, lift coefficients, and drag coefficients for variations in the number of flaps, individual flap configurations, and deployment angles. Aerodynamic data is validated against static trim-tab data from the literature. Results for one flap above the entry vehicle are presented for the hypersonic regime with the angle of attack ranging from -4 degrees to 20 degrees. These results demonstrate the effects of a flap on the aerodynamic performance of an entry vehicle and will inform the development of guidance, navigation, and control systems for various flap configurations on entry vehicles.

Graduation Semester

2017-08

Type of Resource

text

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/98438

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2017 Jose Sepulveda

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