Visualization of Flow Structure Around a Hypersonic Re-entry Capsule Using the Electrical Discharge Method

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Nishio, Masatomi | Sezaki, Shinji | Nakamura, Hiroaki

Affiliations: Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Fukuyama University, Fukuyama, 729-0292, Japan. FAX: (+81)84-936-2023; E-mail: m.nishio@fume.fukuyama-u.ac.jp | Graduate Student, Fukuyama University

Abstract: The spatial flowfield around a model of the re-entry capsule of the Mars Environmental Survey (MESUR) Pathfinder probe afterbody configuration traveling at a speed of Mach 10 was investigated utilizing the electrical discharge method. The shock shape ahead of the capsule was observed using a technique for visualizing 3-D shock shapes, then the streamline following the shock wave was observed utilizing a technique for visualizing streamlines crossing a shock wave. Subsequently, the flowfield behind the capsule was observed by applying a technique for visualizing flow patterns. From these observations, the spatial flow construction including the wake region such as a separation, free shear layer, and rear stagnation location behind the capsule was made clear. These experiments utilizing the electrical discharge method qualitatively demonstrated the spatial flow structure before and behind the hypersonic re-entry capsule, which had been very difficult to visualize. These experiments were carried out by using a pulsed facility of 18 ms duration.

Keywords: Hypersonic flow visualization, Electrical discharge method, Re-entry capsule, Wake, Flow structure, Hypersonic flow

Journal: Journal of Visualization, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 151-158, 2004