Aerodynamic Design of Hypersonic Re-Entry Flight HIFiRE 7

Abstract

The HIFiRE (Hypersonic International Flight Research and Experimentation) program is a collaboration between the Australian Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to develop and demonstrate fundamental hypersonic technologies, through computational analysis, ground testing and flight testing. HIFiRE 7 is the first of the free-flyer scramjet flights scheduled for launch in October 2010. It is an uncontrolled ballistic re-entry experiment to measure thrust generated from two REST (Rectangular-to-Elliptical Shape Transition) inlet scramjets mounted back-to-back. The HIFiRE 7 payload will be launched aboard a spin-stabilized two-stage sounding rocket, utilizing an up-and-over ballistic trajectory. During the re-entry phase, the payload will separate from the sustainer and continue as a free-flyer. The flight experiment will take place at Mach 8 between altitudes of ∼34km and 26km. This paper presents an overview the aerodynamic design of the free-flying vehicle from concept to the current configuration, including possible separation strategies. Copyright