Numerical and Experimental Investigations of Epsilon Launch Vehicle Aerodynamics at Mach 1.5

作者：Kitamura Keiichi^*; Nonaka Satoshi; Kuzuu Kazuto; Aono Junya; Fujimoto Keiichiro; Shima Eiji

来源：Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 2013, 50(4): 896-916.

DOI：10.2514/1.A32284

The Epsilon launch vehicle, successor of the M-V rocket, which conveyed %26quot;Hayabusa%26quot; is currently under development in Japan. The Epsilon is also designed for sending scientific satellites to outer space, and its first flight is scheduled to be in 2013. In this study, by conducting both numerical simulations and wind-tunnel tests, the aerodynamic characteristics and associated flow features of the Epsilon launch vehicle are extensively investigated at Mach 1.5. The results provided are axial/normal/side forces, pitching/yawing/rolling moments, detailed three-dimensional flow structure, along with effects of the Reynolds number (between wind-tunnel and flight conditions), skin stringers (small devices on the main body), and the difference from another configuration called %26quot;NextGenEpsilon%26quot;. This set of data includes unavailable ones at either the experiment standalone or the actual flight. Magnitudes of computed aerodynamic coefficients are in good agreement with the experiment and within the design criteria. According to the results axial force is not affected by those above-mentioned factors, but local normal force is influenced around skin stringers by the Reynolds number, and the rolling moment can change even its sign. Detailed explanations with regard to relations between aerodynamic characteristics and those flow structures are also provided.

• 出版日期2013-8