HIGH ANGLE OF ATTACK OF REENTRY PAYLOADS

1. Introduction: A computer code to predict the aerodynamic characteristics of typical

sounding rockets reentry payloads as well as reentry bodies at subsonic, transonic
and supersonic velocities and angles of attack from 0 to 180 degrees. The program
provides the Normal Force CN, Axial Force CA as well as the center of pressure of
the normal force for longitudinal static stability analysis. Also, the code provides the
CD (drag coefficient) to obtain the ballistic factor and the trim angle of attack for
reentry trajectory studies. The code handle axisymmetric bodies which are composed
by:
• Nose: Ogival (Conical nose could be analyzed for preliminary purposes)
• Afterbody: Cylindrical
 Fig 1 –Configuration, Force and Moment Definition

1.1- Normal force coefficient determination.

Normal Force Coefficient and Center of Pressure of Normal Force are calculated by means
of the method of Ref. (1) for ogive-cylinders, which is basically a modification of the method
of Ref. 2.
The normal force is expressed by the equation:

SP
C N = C Nα .α + η.C dc . .sin 2α (1)
S REF

1.2- Center of Pressure position determination.

XCP, the center of pressure of the normal; force at low α is obtained from the database of
Aiello (ref. 1) and its variation with the angle of attack is predicted with the method of the
same reference.

XCP (α ) = F1 .( XCP )α → 0 (2)

where F1 is an empirical derived function. The XCP at α=90 deg. is located at the body
planform centroid.

1.3- Axial force coefficient determination.

The axial force is obtained at low a form the following equation:

CA=CAW+CAF+CAB (3)
Where
• CAW is the nose wave/pressure drag
• CAF is the friction Drag
• CAB is the Base drag

All these coefficients are obtained from references 1 and 3.

The variation of the axial force coefficient CA with a at high angle of attack is predicted with
the new method of reference 3.

1.4- Trim angle of attack determination.

The trimmed condition is obtained when;

CM=0 (4)
CM(α) =(CN(α).(XCP(α)-XCG)/D (5)

which means that the trimmed conditions are reached when XCP ≡ XCG. The angle of attack
at this condition is called α=αtrim

1.5- Ballistic factor determination.

The ballistic factor is defined as:

BF=Weight/(CD. Sref) (6)

Where
CD = CN.sin α + CA. cos α (7)
 2. COMPARISON BETWEEN PREDICTION AND TEST DATA

Series of three bodies of L/D=7, 9 and 11 were tested with the HIANGLE program. Data for
Normal force, Pitching Moment and Axial Force were obtained from reference 4. The
following figure, shows the result of the prediction and test data. As it can be seen, the
agreement for all coefficients between prediction and data is very good.

Normal Force Coefficient - Prediction/Test

20
CN ( L/D =7)
CN (L/D = 9)
CN (L/D = 11)
CN(L/D =7 Exp.)
15 CN (L/D = 9 Exp.)
CN (L/D = 11 Exp.)
CN

10

0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
Alpha (Deg.)
 Axial Force Coefficient - Prediction/Test

1
CA ( L/D = 7)
CA (L/D = 9)
CA (L/D = 11)
0,5 CA (Exp.)

0
CA

-0,5

-1

-1,5

-2
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
Alpha (Deg.)

Center Presure Location - Prediction/Test

12
XCP ( L/D =7)
XCP ( L/D = 9)
10 XCP (L/D = 11)
XCP (L/D = 7 Exp.)
XCP (L/D = 9 Exp.)
8
XCP (L/D =11 Exp.)
XCP (m)

0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
Alpha (Deg.)
4- Nomenclature:

α = angle of attack
CNα= Normal force coefficient slope
Cdc= Cross flow drag coefficient.
SREF= Reference Area
SP= Projected planform area.
η= Finite length correction factor for crossflow drag coefficient.
CN= Normal force coefficient.
Xcp= Center of pressure position
CA= Axial force coefficient
CD= Drag coefficient, wind axis.
References:

1. Aiello, G.F., "Aerodynamic Methodology-Bodies with Tails at Arbitrary Roll Angle,

Transonic and Supersoniic,"Martin-Marietta Corp.,OR14, 145, Orlando, Florida, April
1976

2. Allen, H.J. and Perkins, E.W., "A Study of Effects of Viscosity on Flow over
Slender Inclined Bodies of Revolution", NACA Rep. 1048, 1949

3. Moore, Frank G.; Hymer, Tom. “An Improved Method for Predicting Axial Force at High
Angle of Attack” NSWCDD/TR-96/240, Feb. 97

4. Remtech Inc. “Reentry Design Handbook for Sounding Rocket Payloads” ADA053671,
Dec. 1977