GASDYNAMIC INTERACTIONS, INDEPENDENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Abstract : The fundamental nature of the gas dynamic recirculation process was examined which gives rise to staging force, moment, and environment problems in nearly all rocket powered separations. Parametric cold gas experiments were conducted for a series of progressively more complex idealized interstage configurations which would exhibit, in sequence, the steps in the recirculation phenomenon. Theoretical work was initiated which is expected to lead to a method for making preliminary design estimates of recirculation effects on a wide variety of potential vehicle staging configurations.