AERODYNAMIC FORCES ON THE SNAP-19 FUEL CAPSULE AND NIMBUS B SOLAR PANEL AT A SIMULATED HIGH ALTITUDE

Aerodynamic forces on a SNAP-19 fuel capsule and Nimbus B solar panel model were determined over an angle-of-attack range from 0 to 90 deg at a simulated high altitude under hypersonic, cold-wall conditions. Very large viscous-induced effects on aerodynamic drag, lift, and pitching moment were observed. The configurations were unstable about their mid-chord positions except near zero lift. Comparisons are made with inviscid Newtonian and free- molecular flow predictions. Altitude simulated for the full-scale configurations was approximately 260,000 ft for the fuel capsule and 300,000 ft for the solar panel.