The distribution of observables in hypersonic wakes and trails is the result of a complex interaction of body shape, chemical kinetics, and the onset of laminar-turbulent transition. This paper discusses progress and problems in these three areas with emphasis on scaling laws. The minimum critical Reynolds number for a blunt body is about 50,000 at M sub infinity = 20, based of freestream conditions and body diameter. This value corresponds to an altitude of 220,000 ft for a body 6 ft. in diameter. For a sharp-nosed slender body, transition in the wake should appear at about the same altitude. A tentative explanation of transition in hypersonic wakes is presented based on recent work on the instability of laminar compressible wakes. Scaling parameters for oxygen-electron attachment and electron-ion recombination are derived, and theoretical calculations are compared with some recent experimental results. For full-scale re-entry vehicles, oxygen-electron attachment in the wake is important below an altitude of about 150,000 ft. (Author)


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    Hypersonic wakes and trails

    LEES, L. | AIAA | 1964


    Hypersonic wakes and trails

    Lees, L. | Engineering Index Backfile | 1964


    Comment on Hypersonic Wakes and Trails

    ARNOLD GOLDBURG | AIAA | 1965