Aerodynamic Characteristics and Development of the Aerodynamic Database of the X-34 Reusable Launch Vehicle

Abstract

An overview of the aerodynamic characteristics and the process of developing the preflight aerodynamic database of the NASA/ Orbital X-34 reusable launch vehicle is presented in this paper. Wind tunnel tests from subsonic to hypersonic Mach numbers including ground effect tests at low subsonic speeds were conducted in various facilities at the NASA Langley Research Center. The APAS (Aerodynamic Preliminary Analysis System) code was used for engineering level analysis and to fill the gaps in the wind tunnel test data. This aerodynamic database covers the range of Mach numbers, angles of attack, sideslip and control surface deflections anticipated in the complete flight envelope. Nomenclature b Wing span C D Drag coefficient C L Lift coefficient C l Rolling-moment coefficient C m Pitching-moment coefficient C n Yawing-moment coefficient C Y Side-force coefficient h Height of the moment reference point above the ground plane, ft M Mach number a Angle of attack, deg b Angle of ..