Journal of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics

Review Article Pages 597-614

Design of Hypervelocity Flow Generator (HFG) and Its Diagnostics

Authors: Kyo D Song and Sang H Choi

Abstract: Ground facility for hypersonic research is a key element for successful development of aerodynamically proven hypervelocity vehicles. Design concept and diagnostics of hypervelocity flow generator (HFG) were made as a test platform for hypersonic/hypervelocity spacecraft models at NASA Langley Research Center. The HFG is a hypersonic flow field generator using optically heated gas which was blown into an 80-m3 large vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber is kept at a stable vacuum pressure with a combination of three large vacuum pumps, while the HFG is in the test mode. The HFG provides relatively a small test section with approximately a 20 cm window.

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