Experimental investigation of the influence of the flow structure on the aerodynamic coefficients of the IXV vehicle

Abstract

In the framework of the ESA Future Launchers Preparatory Program (FLPP) an experimental study on the aerodynamic behavior during the re-entry phase of the Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) configuration was conducted in the DLR hypersonic wind tunnel H2K in Cologne. Tests were carried out at Mach 6.0 and 8.7 with different flap deflection angles and the angle of attack varied continuously between 20° and 55° to investigate the flow topology as well as the aerodynamic forces and moments and the surface pressure distribution. The experimental data show that depending on the combination of the flap deflection angle (δL/R) and angle of attack (α) the complex flow structure in the vicinity of the flaps significantly influences the vehicle’s aerodynamic coefficients. An analysis of this shock/shock and shock/boundary layer interaction causing flow separation with reattachment is performed.