Aerothermodynamics issues of the DLR hypersonic flight experiment SHEFEX-I

Abstract

Here is presented an overview of the hypersonic experiment on sharp edge concepts, SHEFEX-I. The project, being performed under responsibility of the German Aerospace Center (DLR), is aimed to investigate the behavior and the possibilities of an improved shape for aerospace vehicles considering sharp edges and facetted surfaces. It is a basic in-flight experimentation research on hypersonic technologies for future launcher vehicles but not a re-entry experiment. Additionally, the SHEFEX-I project is the starting point for a series of experiments which enable the acquisition of important knowledge in hypersonic free flight experimentation and which are an excellent test bed for new technological concepts. The experiment which successfully flew on top of a two-stage solid propellant sounding rocket on October 27th, 2005 from Andøya Rocket Range in northern Norway, enabled time accurate investigation of the flow effects and their structural answer during a hypersonic flight Ma~6 from 90 km down to an altitude of 20 km. The present paper gives an overview about the aerothermodynamic philosophy and introduces some main outcomes of the post-flight analysis.