CFD Applications to Launch Vehicles with Reverse Flow Plumes

This paper summarizes the development of a CFD prediction methodology for computing the CM/LAS aerodynamic database, which is valid during an abort from all phases of the flight. This aerodynamic database contains axial, normal, and side forces, pitch, yaw, and rolling moment coefficients. Dynamic similitude arguments are employed to calculate these aerodynamic coefficients in an efficient manner. As part of this work, the CFD solver was validated and calibrated against wind tunnel data for a number of scaled CM/LAS configurations and tunnel conditions. The validated/anchored CFD prediction methodology was then utilized to calculate the aerodynamic coefficients for various flight conditions. The complete CFD approach, from generating the matrix of runs, creating the computational grid, and processing the results, is described in this paper.