Re-entry Aerothermodynamics

Abstract

The lecture will provide an overview of the physical and chemical phenomena occurring during the re-entry flight in the atmosphere of the Earth. Further, practical issues related to flown trajectories, aerodynamics and thermal protection systems will be discussed. An important feature of re-entry flight is the occurrence of high temperature effects, namely the excitation of thermal degrees of freedom and subsequently the chemical reactions of the species. These effects alter the flow past a re-entry vehicle and must be considered to determine the aerodynamic behavior. Along a re-entry trajectory the relaxation processes will either be in equilibrium or nonequilibrium depending on the considered flight altitude..