Kinetic comparative study on Aerodynamic Characteristics of Hypersonic Reentry Vehicle from Near-continuous Flow to Free Molecular Flow

Abstract

A scaled model of the X38-like configuration was simulated under hypersonic conditions by the direct simulation Monte Carlo method and the unified gas kinetic scheme. The inflow conditions considered several different flow regimes, from the near-continuum though the slip-transitional to the free molecule regime. Flow fields and surface properties were compared in details between two methods. Not only the density and temperature contours distribution but also the surface pressure, heat flux, friction distribution, both kinetic methods give fairly consistent results. Aerodynamics of the model under hypersonic rarefied conditions were also obtained and compared. The results given by both methods agreed with each other very well. The effects of the Knudsen number and angle of attack were assessed. At the absence of experimental results, it is meaningful to carry out comparative studies and accelerate both methods to further progress.