National Aerospace Laboratory Aerodynamics Division
National Aerospace Laboratory Aerodynamics Division
National Aerospace Laboratory Aerodynamics Division
National Aerospace Laboratory Aerodynamics Division
National Aerospace Laboratory Aerodynamics Division
National Space Development Agency of Japan
To obtain the aerodynamic characteristics of the Orbital Reentry Experiment Vehicle (OREX), measurements of three force components of the OREX model and other modified models were carried out in the NAL supersonic wind tunnel (1 m x 1 m test cross-section) in the Mach number range where M(sub infinity) is greater than or equal to 1.4 and less than or equal to 4.0. The models have spherically blunted nose heads with the same radius. The effects of conical afterbody of 50 degree and 45 degree half-apex conical angles and four different radii of circumferential edges of 0 mm, 2 mm, 3.3 mm (OREX) and 10 mm were tested. The tests show that the models are statically stable for the pitching movement (vane-stable). The model with the edge of 3.3 mm shows larger recovering pitching moment than other models in low Mach number regions. The model with a sharp edge shows a larger drag coefficient than the one with a blunted edge.