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NASA Technical Memorandum 110201 $7_7 A Study to Determine Methods of Improving the Subsonic Performance of A Proposed Personnel Launch System (PLS) Concept B. Spencer, Jr., C. H. Fox, Jr., and J. K. Huffman Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia December 1995 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Langley Research Center Hampton, Virginia 23681-0001 O I ,0 0', Z U C w_ _CW l--v_ r 0 _ I.L L_J _ Cr_ Z_n_ OIOZ I :[ Z Z O_ _- 00 O" ,O O O O O
Transcript
Page 1: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

NASA Technical Memorandum 110201

$7_7

A Study to Determine Methods ofImproving the Subsonic Performance ofA Proposed Personnel Launch System(PLS) Concept

B. Spencer, Jr., C. H. Fox, Jr., and J. K. HuffmanLangley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia

December 1995

National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

Langley Research Center

Hampton, Virginia 23681-0001

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Page 2: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT
Page 3: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONICPERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS)

CONCEPT

Bernard Spencer, Jr.; Charles H. Fox, Jr.; and Jarrett K. Huffman

ABSTRACT

An investigation has been conducted in the Langley 7- by 10-Foot High Speed

Wind Tunnel to determine the longitudinal and lateral directional aerodynamic

characteristics of a series of personnel launch system concepts. This series of

configurations evolved during an effort to improve the subsonic characteristics of a

proposed lifting entry vehicle (designated the HL-20). The primary purpose of the

overall investigation was to provide a vehicle concept which was inherently stable and

trimable from entry to landing while examining methods of improving subsonic

aerodynamic performance.

Modifications to the original HL-20 were: forebody shaping including the canopy

region to minimize drag; changes in body camber to improve positive pitching moment;

base area reduction to further reduce drag; and outboard fin dihedral, airfoil section, and

fairing to improve lift and lift-drag ratio. Split rudders on the vertical tail were

investigated for use as speed breaks in an effort to provide nose up pitching moment.

In addition, a canard was added to one configuration for improving both positive pitch

and lift. The tests were conducted at a Mach number of 0.30 and Reynolds number per

foot of about 1.8 x 106 over an angle of attack range from approximately -4° to 20 ° at

sideslip angles of 0% -4°, and 4 °.

INTRODUCTION

The plans for Space Station Freedom require a small supporting vehicle for

ferrying personnel to and from the station. There is also a requirement to have a

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vehicle permanently docked at the station to serve as an emergency crew rescue

vehicle. This vehicle would be a small personnel-only version; one concept being of the

lifting body type vehicle presently designated the HL-20 (see refs. 1-5).

The HL-20 lifting body shape has also been suggested as one candidate for

NASA's Assured Crew Retum Capability (ACRC) as well as a Personnel Launch

System (PLS). Both programs are designed around an entry vehicle with the capability

of transporting a crew of 6 to 9 members from the space station. The HL-20 is a small

personnel carrier vehicle approximately 28 feet long with aerodynamic characteristics

similar to those of the Space Shuttle and earlier lifting body concepts (see ref. 6). The

vehicle has a low-aspect-ratio body with a flat under surface and blunt base. Center

and outboard fins are mounted on the upper aft body, with the outboard fins set at a

dihedral angle of 50 ° . Control surfaces are mounted on the outboard fins and aft portion

of the body. Results of wind tunnel studies to date, indicate; (1) low subsonic lift-to-drag

ratios and (2) deficiencies in directional stability at low supersonic speeds with

undesirable associated negative trim angle of attack, negative trim lift and lift-to-drag

ratios in the Mach range 1.5 to 2.5 (see refs. 7-11).

Therefore, Langley Research Center has initiated an extensive study to

investigate methods of improving the overall aerodynamics of a lifting-body vehicle of

this type. The refined configurations are referred to herein as the HL-20A and HL-20B

series. Modifications to the original HL-20 were forebody shaping including the canopy

region to minimize drag; changes in body camber to improve positive pitching moment;

base area reduction to further reduce drag, and outboard fin dihedral, airfoil section, and

fairing to improve lift and lift-drag ratio. Design philosophy and detailed descriptions of

the various modifications are discussed in depth in the models section of this report.

The present investigation was conducted in the Langley 7- by 10-Foot High

Speed Wind Tunnel to determine the low speed longitudinal and lateral-directional

aerodynamic characteristics of the HL-20A and HL-20B concepts and are compared to

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the original HL-20 vehicle. The tests were conducted at a Mach number of 0.30 and

Reynolds number per foot of about 1.8 x 106 over an angle of attack range from

approximately -4 ° to 20 ° at sideslip angles of 0 °, -4 °, and 4.

SYMBOLS

The data are based on measurements made in the U.S. Customary units.

Longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics are referred to the stability axis system and

lateral-directional characteristics (including beta derivatives) to body axis system (fig. 1).

Longitudinal coefficients are based on projected body planform area and actual length

of each body and lateral-directional characteristics on planform area and body span

(fins-off). Moment reference point is 54 percent actual body length for each

configuration.

b

CA

Cl

Cl,13

CD

CD,min

CL

AC L

Cm

Cm,_

model reference span, in.

axial force coefficient, Axial Force/qS

body axis rolling moment coefficient, Rolling Moment/qSb

beta derivative of body axis rolling moment coefficient computed between

13=4 °, 9=0 ° orl3=-4 °

drag coefficient, Drag/qS

minimum drag coefficient

lift coefficient, Lift/qS

incremental lift between specified configurations

pitching moment coefficient, Pitching Moment/qS1, b

longitudinal stability parameter

Cm,o pitching moment at alpha = 0 °

3

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CN

Cn,i3

Cy,_

t b

L/D

(L/D)max

Moo

q

R

S

X,

O_

13

]"'h

normal force coefficient, q normal force/qS

beta derivative of body axis yawing moment coefficient computed between

13= -4 ° or 0° and 13= 4°

C n = Yawing Moment/qSb

13derivative of body axis side force coefficient computed between 13= -4°

or 0 ° and 13= 4 °

Cy = Side Force/qS

actual body length, in.

lift-to-drag ratio

maximum lift-to-drag ratio

free stream Mach number

free stream dynamic pressure, psf

Reynolds number per foot

model reference area, ft2

longitudinal station along the body, in.

angle of attack, deg

angle of sideslip, deg

tip fin dihedral angle, deg (as measured from the horizontal plane)

Abbreviations

Spd Brk Speed-brake located on centeriine vertical tail

Land Gr Landing gear

.4

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DESCRIPTION OF MODELS

Drawings of the HL-20 model are presented in figure 2 and drawings of the

HL-20A/B configurations are presented in figure 3. Photographs of the HL-20, with

landing gear deployed, and HL-20B-1 configurations mounted in the High Speed 7- by

10-Foot Tunnel are presented in figure 4(a) and 4(b), respectively. Additional

photographs showing the various configuration changes made during the investigation

are presented as follows:

Fig. 4(c) - Composite of the HL-20A]B series.

Fig. 4(d) - HL-20; HL-20A/B Planform, upper surface base, tip-fin and center fin

comparison.

Fig. 4(e) - HL-20A-1; A-2; A-4 showing under surface camber changes.

Fig. 4(f) - HL-20A-1; HL-20A-3 showing increase base boattailing and tip fin

fairing changes.

Fig. 4(g) - Formation of HL-20B-1 and B-2 from HL-20A-4 and A-3, respectively

by removal of upper surface downslope.

Fig. 4(h) - Comparison of AFN and slab configurations.

Fig. 4(i) - Comparison of 25 ° AFO and AFN tip fin configurations.

Fig. 4(j) - Comparison of AFN faired and unfaired.

Fig. 4(k) - Partial-span speedbrake deflected 45 ° per side.

Fig. 4(I) - Canard planform on HL-20B-2.

HL-20

The baseline configuration is the HL-20 and a detailed discussion of its geometry

is presented in reference 7 and 8. Basically, this configuration is a flat bottom low

aspect ratio body with a large, blunt nose section, a blunt canopy, and a downsloping

-6.5 ° upper surface (see fig. 2). The body, aft upper surface region is fixed as an

upward deflected elevon at approximately -20 ° for obtaining trimmed pitching moments

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over the range of entry-to-landing Mach numbers. The outboard fins are set at 50 °

dihedral and a small vertical tail is located at the centerline of the body. Both fins and

vertical tail have a slab cross section with a full radius leading edge.

HL-20A-1

The HL-20A-1 configuration (figure 3, part 1) retained the basic features of the

HL-20 except that the forebody was modified to a lower drag, ogive shape and the

canopy was modified and highly swept. These modifications resulted in an increase in

both plan-form area and length. The double-sloped forebody and therefore the "cheeks"

located aft of the canopy were eliminated, as well as the large upper surface, negatively

deflected elevons (see figure 4(d)). These modifications were incorporated to reduce

profile drag, base drag and eliminate entry "hot spots," which have been noted in

unpublished aeroheating results. It is anticipated that these vehicles (HL-20A/B) would

reenter the Earth's atmosphere at higher angles of attack than the baseline HL-20,

around 56 ° to 60 ° near CL,r_ x compared to 40 °.. This higher angle of attack entry

should move the stagnation heating line aft of the nose region to the underside of the

body. The resulting lower heating rates should allow the smaller equivalent nose radii

used on the HL--20A/B configurations. Normal rotation of the vehicle from near 56 ° to

60 ° , to lower trim angles of attack will occur inherently due to the natural center of

pressure movement with decreasing Mach number.

HL-20A-2

The lower surface of the HL-20A-2 configuration (figure 3 - part 2) was cambered

by adding a NACA 65A006 airfoil camber distribution to the centerline section to the

HL-20 flat-bottom, while retaining HL-20A-1 forebody and planform (figure 4(e)). This

was incorporated to improve positive Cm, o for subsonic trim and possibly eliminate the

trim at negative angles of attack noted at low supersonic speeds (ref. 8).

6

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HL-20A-3

The base area of the HL-20A-3 (figure 3, part 3) configuration was somewhat

reduced by increasing the HL-20A-2 base boattailing towards the outboard fins. This

modification was incorporated primarily to provided a smoother fairing between the fins

and body leading edges. See figure 3, part 3(b) and also figure 4(f).

HL-20A.4

The lower surface camber was further increased on the HL-20A-4 configuration

(figure 3, part 4) by replacing the NACA 65A06 section of the HL-20A-3 configuration

with a NACA 65A012 (see figure 4(e) comparison). This was incorporated to provide •

even more positive Cm, o for trim than the HL-20A-2. Cross-sectional shapes were

elliptic, thereby again giving a smoother fairing to the body leading edges as well as the

outboard fins.

HL-20B-1 and HL-20B-2

The HL-20B-1 and B-2 series (figure 3, parts 5, 6, and 7; respectively) are the

HL-20A-4 and HL-20A-3 bodies with the 6.5 ° upper surface downslope removed (i.e.,

upper surface made parallel to free stream). These modifications were formed by

adding a 6.5 ° pie shaped wedge aft of the canopy. This increased the camber effect

and was incorporated in an effort to push the subsonic (L/D)max to angles of attack

nearer those anticipated for landing (i.e., (z = 16°), and to further increase positive Cm, o.

See figure 4(g). Representative cross-sections accompany each configuration as

digitized for a smaller model, appropriately noted (figure 3).

7

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Outboard FinConfigurations

The original HL-20 outboard slab fins were modified by changing the airfoil

section from a slab section with a blunt base to a NACA 0012 at the tip and NACA 0008

at the root (figure 3, part 8(b) and figure 4(h) and 4(i)). This eliminated the large blunt

base areas on each of the fins, thereby reducing CD, min.

The fins were modified such that the cross section was an airfoil shape on one

side and a flat plate on the other. The airfoil-in (AFN) configuration has the flat surface

facing outboard and airfoil section inboard to increase positive C L. Airfoil sections are

NACA 0012 at the tip and NACA 0008 at the root.

The airfoil-out (AFO) configuration has the flat surface facing inward and airfoil

section outboard to increase positive Cm, o for trim; however, at a loss in C L. Both of

these also eliminated the base area of the slab fin. Airfoil sections are NACA 0012 at

the tip and NACA 0008 at the root.

The fins on the HL-20 are located above the flat bottom lower surface, therefore,

leaving a "ridge" between fin-body junction and body lower surface. During entry this

could cause flow separation and impingement, thereby creating hot spots on the fin.

The designation "faired" (i.e., AFN-faired, SLAB-faired) indicates the fins were moved

outboard and lowered down the side to form a smooth fairing into the vehicle lower

surface (see figure 4(j)). Some increase in fin exposed planform area resulted, which

also gave a slight increase in wing span.

Vertical Tail _lnd Speed Brake

The small blunt vertical fin of the HL-20 was replaced by a large, symmetrical

vertical tail to enhance subsonic directional stability (figure 4, part a and b). The root is

an NACA 0008 and the tip a NACA 0012 airfoil section. Split rudders (speedbrakes)

ll

Page 11: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

were also tested with the large vertical tail (see figure 4(k)). Full span speedbrakes

were deflected 30 ° per side and partial span (upper 1/3 of rudder) were deflected 45 ° in

an effort to produce positive Cm, o without reducing C L.

_:anard

A canard was also tested on the HL-20B-2 configuration(see figure 3, part 8(a)

and figure 4(I)). This is considered a fold-down device which could be stowed along the

body contour aft of the canopy during entry and then deployed subsonically to produce

positive increments in both C m and C L. The canard had a flat bottom and highly

cambered NACA 0012 upper surface, and was trapezoidal in planform.

APPARATUS, TESTS, AND CORRECTIONS

The investigation was conducted in the Langley 7- by 10-Foot High Speed Wind

Tunnel (see ref. 11). Forces and moments were measured on a six component strain

gage balance mounted internally in the model. The test was run at a Mach number of

0.30, with the average test Reynolds number approximately 1.8 x 106 per foot. The

models were tested over an angle of attack range from approximately -4 ° to 20 ° at

sideslip angles of 0 °, -4 °, and 4 °. The corrected angles of attack and sideslip include

the effects of sting bending under load. Beta derivatives were obtained between _ = 0°;

-4 ° , and +4 ° incrementally, and therefore do not account for any nonlinearities which

may exist in this _ range.

Jet boundary and blockage corrections have been applied to the data based on

the equations found in references 12 and 13; respectively. The balance chamber

pressure and the base pressures were monitored for selected configurations. However,

no corrections were made to the data for the effects of base and chamber pressure.

Transition strips 0.0625 inches in width of No. 100 Carborundum grain were located 0.3

inch aft of the leading edges of the fins and vertical tail as well as 1.0 inch aft of the

,9

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nose of the model. For the canards, number 80 Carborundum grains were placed 0.55

inches aft of the leading edges. All transition strips were applied according to the

methods prescribed in reference 14.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Presentation of Results

The parametric nature of the test permits one to generate numerous comparison

plots showing the effects of various configurational variables in combination. The data

are presented such that systematic analysis of the various modifications can be made,

with results presented in the following figures:

Effect of body contouring on the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics

for the HL-20A series bodies alone.

Figures

5

Effect of body contouring on the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics

for the HL-20A series bodies with slab tip fin at F h = 50 °, and compared to

the baseline HL-20 configuration.

6

Effect of the addition of tip fins with different airfoil sections on the

aerodynamic characteristics for the HL-20A-4 configuration.

7

Effect of speed brakes on the aerodynamic characteristics for the

HL-20A-4 configuration.

8

Effect of removal of upper surface downslope on the longitudinal

aerodynamic characteristics for configurations with tip fins off.

HL-20A-4 and A-3 to HL-20B-1 and B-2; respectively.

lo

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Effect of removal of upper surface downslope on the longitudinal

aerodynamic characteristics for configurations with the slab tip fin at

F h = 50 o.

Figures

10

Effect of body contouring on the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics

for the HL-20B series bodies, with and without F h = 50 ° slab fins.

11

Effect of fin section and fairing on the aerodynamic characteristics

for the HL-20B-1 configuration.

12

Effect of fin dihedral and airfoil section contouring at Fh = 25 ° on the

aerodynamic characteristics for the HL-20B-1 configuration.

13

Effect of fin section and fairing on the aerodynamic characteristics for

the HL-20B-2 configuration.

14

Effect of fin dihedral and airfoil section contouring at Fh = 25 ° on the

aerodynamic characteristics for the HL-20B-2 configuration.

15

Effect of addition of canard on the aerodynamic characteristics for the

HL-20B-2 configuration, with and without various fin arrangements.

16

Comparison of the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics for some

selected near-optimum performance HL-20A/B configurations and the

original HL-20.

17

ll

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Effect of adding landing gear on the longitudinal aerodynamic

characteristics for the HL-20 configuration with slab tip-fins at Fh = 50 °.

Figures

18

DISCUSSION

Effects of body contouring.- As previously noted the primary purposes of

changes in body contour from the HL-20 shape (HL-20A1-A4) was to reduce profile

drag, reduce base area and thereby base drag and provide positive increment in

pitching moment in order to minimize large negative control surface deflections required

for trim. The effects of body contouring for bodies A1-A4 alone and bodies A1-A4 with

50 ° slab-fins are presented in figures 5 and 6; respectively, the latter includes the

original HL-20 configuration. Since no body alone data are available on the HL-20

configuration below Moo = 0.60, and blunt bodies are well into compressibility effects at

Moo = <0.30 no comparisons with the body alone data have been presented.

An examination of the aerodynamic characteristics of the HL-20 versus the

HL-20A-1 indicates a reduction in CD,min from 0.065 to 0.044 along with a positive

increment in C L of about 0.1. This combination resulted in an increase in (L/D)max

from about 3.5 to 4.2. This resulted, however, in a large negative shift in Cm, o of about

0.03. The use of body camber on the HL-20A-2 and HL-20A-4 configurations greatly

alleviated this adverse effect through a positive shift in Cm, o without adversely affecting

either (L/D)max or CD,mi n. However, CL was reduced back to the level of the original

HL-20. All of these favorable effects of body shaping and boattailing are emphasized in

figure 5 (body-alone), indicating the HL-20A-3 (additional boattailing) and HL-20A-4 to

have the lowest drag and slightly higher (L/D)max.

Effects of tip-fin section (HL-20A-4).- Changing the tip-fin configuration from 50 °

slab to 50 ° AFN results in increases in (L/D)max from 4.2 to 6.6 (figure 7). The resultant

Cm, o values, however, shift from positive (0.019) to negative -0.004 and herein lies the

12

'11

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problem with vehicles of this type. How does one generate higher lift and lift-drag ratio

and still retain positive stable trim without large negative control surfaces? It becomes

an iterative process: efficient lifting surface and reductions in base area to increase

L/D, and body camber for Cm, o to provide trim.

Speedbrake for trim.- An alternate method of producing the large Cm, o needed

for stable trim is to deploy split rudders (speedbrakes) and use the resulting drag force

located well above the configuration center of gravity. The idea is to produce a pitching

moment without having a significant affect on the total lift. Speedbrakes have been

shown to be very effective pitch control devices, compared to the elevons, on the Space

Shuttle Orbiter at supersonic speeds and are used by the shuttle during the approach

and landing maneuver. Both full span and partial span speedbrakes were tested and,

as shown in figure 8(a), both produced significant positive increments in Cm, o such that

trim was obtained around 8° - 9 ° angle of attack. The configuration without the

speedbrake was significantly out of trim with large negative C m in this angle of attack

range. For this case, however, the speedbrakes did have an affect on C L causing a

loss of about 0.1. This and the normal increase in drag resulted in large reductions in

L/D such that (L/D)max was only about 3.3. While the speedbrakes did provide good

trim characteristics, the performance penalty would appear to be too large. The

inefficiency of full-span speedbrake results from induced flow separation on the body aft

end causing lift loss (as evidenced by the additional large +Cm, o obtained). Use of a

partial-span speedbrake deflected 45 ° per side (upper 1/3 of vertical tail) in combination

with the 50 ° slab-faired fins, resulted in Cm, o increases with resultant increased C D

from 0.041 to 0.068 and (L/D)max loss from 4.5 to 3.2; a more efficient control, but still

too large a penalty. Speedbrakes are therefore, not efficient devices for low (L/D)

vehicles at subsonic speeds.

Removing body upper-surface negative slope.- (HL-20B series) As previously

noted, removing the negative 6.5 ° body upper surface downslope was accomplished by

13

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adding a 6.5" wedge aft of the canopy thereby making the vehicle upper surface parallel

to free stream using the HL-20A-4 and HL-20A-3 configurations to form the HL-20B-1

and HL-20B-2 configurations; respectively. (See figure 4(e)). The desired effect was to

increase positive C m due to increased body camber and to shift (L/D)max to higher

angles of attack (i.e., nearer those for landing) while accepting some losses in lift.

Removing the 6.5 ° upper surface downslope (HL-20B-series) had the desired

effect of shifting (z for (L/D)max to angles of attack near 16° or near landing conditions

(see figure 9). The HL-20B-1 with the 50 ° slab fin on (figure 10) shows stable trim near

o_= 16° at (L/D)max with an (L/D)ma x of about 4.1 or the same value as the HL-20A

series near 8° to 10° angle of attack.

Eff_ of fin airfoil section and fairina.- (HL-20B-1) The effect of changing the fin

airfoil section on the HL-20B-1 configuration from slab to AFN results in increases in

(L/D)ma x from about 4.1 to 6 with an accompanying reduction in trim angle of attack

from 15° to 6° (figure 12). This again emphasizes the continual trade-off between

efficient lifting surfaces for improving performance while still maintaining the desired trim

characteristics.

Fairing the fin into the bottom of the body had no effect on any aerodynamic

characteristics for the HL-20B-1 AFN configuration but did have a significant effect on

the slab configuration (as shown in figure 12(a)) where (L/D)max and lift curve slope

were improved. Significant increases in longitudinal stability, Cm,e_ were noted.

However, fairing the fin on the HL-20B-2 produced improvements in aerodynamic

characteristics for both the AFN and slab configurations (figure 14). For example,

(L/D)max was increased for both configurations.

Fin-dihedral/airfoil contours.- (AFN/AFO) HL-20B-I. Decreasing outboard fin

dihedral for the AFN configuration from 50 ° to 25 ° resulted in an increase in _, trirfi from

6 ° to 9 °. Reversing airfoil section from AFN to AFO produced the large positive pitch

14

II

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desired, however, not without accompanying lift losses and losses in (L/D)max to about

4.8 (see figure 13). Similar results are noted for the HL-20B-2 configuration (figure 15).

Effect of a,dditiQn Qf canards.- The addition of canards to the HL-20B-2 body

resulted in large increases in positive pitching moment, with some increases in lift

coefficient (figure 16). Not all of the positive lift generated by the canards is realized,

however, due to the down-wash from the canard reducing somewhat the lift on the

body-fin combination (compare _CL between body-canard and z_CL between body-fin

canard). This phenomena (canard efficiency factor) is explained in depth in reference

15. Use of a canard is an efficient method of producing the desired pitch for trim on

lifting bodies of this type, while still taking advantage of the favorable C L produced by

the AFN fins.

Lateral-directional characteristics.- The primary purpose of the present study was

to investigate methods of improving aerodynamic subsonic performance, therefore only

a limited amount of lateral-directional stability as affected by the various configurational

changes were obtained. These were done primarily to see if large adverse effects

occurred as a result of configurational modifications.

As may be noted from the "b" parts of selected configurations, no large adverse

affects on the directional stability parameter Cnl 3 nor on the positive effective dihedral

parameter Ct_ occurred due to the various ¢onfigurational modifications employed, with

the new large center vertical tail on.

Landing Gear Deployment.- Because of the low values of subsonic (l_/D)max

noted for the original HL-20 configuration, the question arose as to how much further

reduction in performance would result from landing gear deployment?

Figure 18 presents the effects of landing gear deployment on the aerodynamic

characteristic of the original HL-20 with 50 ° slab fins. The major effect is on C D and

(L/D)max where an increase in CD,mi n from about 0.065 to 0.09 is noted with resultant

loss in (L/D)max from about 3.4 to 2.9. A slight reduction in C L versus a and

15

Page 18: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

accompanying downward shift in C m also results for the gear on configuration. Some

increases in Cn_ at the low to moderate angles of attack also occur with no effect on

Cq3.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS

An investigation has been made to determine methods of improving the subsonic

performance of lifting body vehicles, by use of body contouring, and tip-fin airfoil section

and fin dihedral. In addition, the use of split rudders on the vertical tail (speedbrake)

and the addition of a canard to provide positive moment were also examined. Results

of this study are summarized as follows:

Body contouring and cambering and reducing blunt base areas (in non-

essential areas) combined with properly tailoring the outboard fins can

significantly enhance subsonic performance of lifting-body type entry vehicles.

Use of a canard can improve lift and provide large positive increments in pitching

moment with losses in maximum lift-to-drag ratio occurring. Further investigation

into optimizing canard-body-fin arrangements appears warranted, in order to

minimize losses in landing performance, since such large reductions in landing

speeds results from deployment of these devices. Using a split rudder (speed-

brake) as a pitch control can provide the desired positive pitch increments,

however, the penalties in performance are significant, thereby, making this type

of pitch control device undesirable at subsonic speeds. No large adverse affects

on lateral-directional stability parameter occurred due to the various

configurational modifications employed.

16

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REFERENCES

.

2.

g

.

.

.

.

.

.

10.

11.

12.

13.

DeMeis, Richard: Fleeing Freedom. Aerospace America, pp. 38-41, May 1989.

Covault, Craig: NASA to Seek Design Concepts for Station Crew Escape Vehicle.Aviation Week and Space Technology, pp. 30, August 17, 1987.

Hook, W. R.; and Freeman, D. C.: Lifting Body Option for a Space Station RescueVehicle. IAF Congress, Malaga, Spain, October 1989.

Naftel, J. Chris; Powell, Richard W.; and Talay, Theodore A.: Ascent, Abort, and

Entry Capability Assessment of a Space Station Rescue and Personnel/LogisticsVehicle. AIAA Paper 89-0635, January 1989.

Ware, G. M.; Spencer, B., Jr.; and Micol, J. R.: Aerodynamic Characteristics ofProposed Assured Crew Return Capability (ACRC) Configurations. AIAA 89-2172,

July 1989.

Spencer, Bernard, Jr.: An Investigation of Methods of Improving SubsonicPerformance of a Manned Lifting Entry Vehicle. NASA TM X-1157, 1965.

Ware, George M.: Transonic Aerodynamic Characteristics of A Proposed AssuredCrew Return Capability (ACRC) Lifting-Body Configuration. NASA TM 4117,June 1989.

Ware, George M.: Supersonic Aerodynamic Characteristics of A ProposedAssured Crew Retum Capability (ACRC) Lifting-Body Configuration. NASA TM4136, November 1989.

Micol, J. R.: Experimental and Predicted Aerodynamic Characteristics of AProposed Assured Crew Return Vehicle (ACRV) Lifting Body Configuration atMach 6 and 10. AIAA 90-1403, June 1990.

Horvath, T. J.; Rhode, M. N.; and Buck, G. M.: AerothermodynamicMeasurements on A Proposed Assured Crew Return Vehicle (ACRV) Lifting BodyConfiguration at Mach 6 and 10 in Air. AIAA 90-1744, June 1990.

Fox, Charles H., Jr.; and Huffman, Jarrett K.: Calibration and Test Capabilities of

the Langley 7- by 10-Foot High Speed Tunnel. NASA TM X-74027, 1977.

Gillis, Clarence L.; Polhamus, Edward C.; and Gray, Joseph L., Jr.: Charts forDetermining Jet-Boundary Corrections for Complete Models in 7- by 10-FootClosed Rectangular Wind Tunnels. NACA WR L-123, 1945. (Formerly NACA

ARR L5G31)

Herriot, John G.: Blockage Corrections for Three-Dimensional-Flow Closed-ThroatWind Tunnels, With Consideration of the Effect of Compressibility. NACA Report

995, 1950. (Supersedes NACA RM A7B28)

17

Page 20: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

14. Braslow, Albert L.; Hicks, Raymond M.; and Harris, Roy V., Jr.: Use of Grit-TypeBoundary-Layer-Transition Trips on Wind-Tunnel Models. NASA TN D-3579,1966.

15. Spencer, Bernard, Jr.; and Sleeman, William C., Jr.: Low-Speed LongitudinalCharacteristics of an Airplane Configuration Including Effects of Canard and WingTrailing-Edge Flap Controls in Combination. NASA Memo 4-22-59L, April 1959.

18

Page 21: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

Side forceY

• , ,

X

Lift

Rolling moment l

Wind direction

_ Yawing moment

Z

Figure 1. Sketch of system of axes used in investigation showing positive direction of forces, moments, velocities.

and angles.

19

Page 22: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

I

1

Body flap_ E_ _

-" 11.14 _',- , 5.94

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(b) Body cross sections.

Figure 2. Sketches of model used in investigation. All dimensions are in inches,

20

Page 23: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

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Page 54: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

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52

Page 55: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

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Part 8 - Concluded.

Figure 3 Concluded.

53

Page 56: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

(a) HL-20 with landing gear, in the 7x10 foot wind tunnel.

Figure 4 - Photographs of the HL-20 Model and HL-20A/B series of modelsdepicting the various modifications made during the investigation.

(b) HL-20B-1 with 50 ° AFN-faired, in the 7x10 foot wind tunnel.

Figure 4 - Continued.

54

11

Page 57: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

(c) Composite of the HL-20A/B series of bodies tested.

Figure 4 - Continued.

HL-2OA-!_

(d) HL-20 and HL-20A-I: Comparison showing forebody, planform, upper surface base,tip fin and center vertical tail modifications.

Figure 4 - Continued.

55

Page 58: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

HL-20A-1

HL-20A-2

HL-20A-4

(e) Comparison of HL-20A- 1; A-2 and A-4 showing under-surface camber changes.

Figure 4 - Continued.

(f) Base view of HL-20A-2; A-3 showing lateral-elliptic fating to body leading edgeand reduced base area.

Figure 4 - Continued.

56

11

Page 59: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

(g)

HL-20A-3 to HL-20B-2 HL-20A-4 to HL-20B-1

Comparison of HL-20B-1; B-2 from HL-20A-4 and A-3, respectively, byremoval of 6.5* body upper surface down slope.

Figure 4 - Continued.

(h) Comparison of SLAB and AFN tip-fin configurations.

Figure 4 - Continued.

57

Page 60: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

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Page 62: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

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Figure 5. Effect of Body Contouring and Camber on the Longitudinal AerodynamicCharacteristics at M.. = 0.3 for the HL-20A Series bodies alone.

6O

Page 63: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

L/D

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Figure 6. Effect of Body Contouring and Camber on the Longitudinal AerodynamicCharacteristics at M** = 0.3 for the HL-20A Series bodies with the slab tip fin

at F h = 50 °, compared to the original HL-20 configuration.

61

Page 64: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

I0 .24Model Fis nu _cl_on Gnu Fin

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Figure 7. Effect of Addition of Fin and of Fin Section on the Aerodynamic

Characteristics at M,_ = 0.3 for the HL-20A-4 configuration.

62

Page 65: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

Cy_

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Figure 7. Concluded.

63

Page 66: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

I0

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Figure 8. Effect ot" Speed Brakes on the Aerodynamic Characteristics at M** = 0.3

for the HL-20A--4 configuration.

64

Page 67: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

Cy_

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Figure 8. Concluded.

24

65

Page 68: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

10

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0 "Y'A _::_"

-02-.2 -.04

-4 0 4 g 12 16 20 23 -.2 0 .2 .4 .6 .8 1.0

Figure 9.

deg CI"

Effect of Removal of Upper Surface Downslope on the Longitudinal Aerodynamic Characteristics

at M** = 0.3 for configurations with the tip fin off.

CD

C m

66

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.O4

Cm.02

0

-.02

-.04

.8

.26

.24

.22

.20

.18

.16

.14

.12

.10

.08

.06

.O4

.02

CD

CL

.6

.4

.2

-.2

-,4

-4 0

0

:: .....__ ---- C1rT1

_: N%-,02

_,--.04

4 g 12 16 20 24 -,2 0 .2 .4 .6 .8 1.0

ct, deg CL

Figure 10. Effect of Removal of Upper Surface Downslope on the Longitudinal Aerodynamic Characteristicsat M** = 0.3 for configurations with the slab tip fin at F h = 50°.

67

Page 70: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

L/D

10

o

.06

.04

Cm .02

0

.6

CL

/

--D -E)

O HL-20B-I OR off

o ln_20B-2 off off

O llI_20B-] 50" Sl_

^ lg_20B-2 50" ,glsb

i--

c_ c

.26

.24

.22

.20

.18

.16

.14

.12

.10

.08

.O6

.(H

.02

°4 .........

.2 ,4_

.04

.02

0

-.02

-.4 -.04•-4 0 4 8 12 16 20 24 -.2 0 .2 .4 .6 .8 1.0

ct, deg Ci"

Figure 11. Effect of Body Contouring and Camber on the Longitudinal Aerodynamic Characteristicsat M** = 0.3 for the HL-20B Series bodies, with and witout F h = 50 ° slab fins.

CD

68

!ll

Page 71: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

L/D

CL

-2

-4

M_I I"h Pin ._c_ _m

0 IIL-20B-I 50" Slzb

0 |IL-2OB-I $0" $1ab-l'_fimd

_--..._---_:::_ A r_ao..i 50" ^_-F-,,.d

__!

2_

-- _ _,

o _.......

-4 0 4 8 12 16 20 24 -.2 0 .2 .4 .6 .8

.26

.24

.22

.20

.18

o,, dog CL

(a) Longitudinal Characteristics

Figure 12. Effect of Fin Section and Fairing on the Aerodynanfic Characteristics at M** = 0.3for the HL-20B-1 configuration.

.16

.14

CD

.12

.10

.08

.06

.04

.02

0

.04

.02

-.02

-.(141.0

C m

69

Page 72: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

Cy,

Cn_

M-_[ rb l_n SccOo_

o |R_20B.! $0 _ Slab

O HL-2OB- I J0 _ AFN

.04

0

-.04

-.08

.008 ---- --

......

0

-.004

-.008

-.012

.004

0

Cl_

-.008--

-,012

-.016-4 0 4 8 12 16 20 24

o,, deg

(b) Lateral-Directional Characteristics

Figure 12. Concluded,

70

Page 73: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

8 .24.... I Modd I"b Pin ,_c_oa

6 ,__ ___ o m,20B.lso" ^r_ .22

___ O HL-20B-I 25" AFN

"_ -- -- .20

2 -- .18

,° f,: ............0 , .16

-2 -- -- .14

.04 ._ ._ _>/ --.o8f_Cm .o2 c._ _-_"_ _, ..

"12 "¢' <_ h /- _ --.06"c

0 "_ "_

_N-_---.02 x _ -- .02

-.04 _ 0

"t:l "_.6 .0,t

.4 °_ _ -_%.........

CL .2 - 0 C.,

_-_ - _ _ _.o_o __-.2 --_ _ --.

-.4 -.06-4 0 4 8 12 16 20 ¢DA -.2 0 .2 .4 .6 .8 1.0

_, deg CL

(a) Longitudinal Characteristics

Figure 13. Effect of Fin Dihedral and Airfoil Section on the Aerodynamic

Characteristics at M** = 0.3 for the HL-20B-1 configuration.

71

Page 74: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

.04

Cy_ .,04

Mode! Fb Rn Set,on

0 |[{_20B -i _0" A|'N

0 llL-2OB-I 25" AFO

-.08

o J__=_,_ --o--,o--c__

.{i)08_

_ .... -c--c_ o --

-.004

-.008

-.012

.0O4 m

0

cb -.oo4_ _ -c'--C

"<> "0 "_ -.0 ...C _<) __C._

-.008 --c -_ ...c._c "°"Q"c_'°'--c -'_c_ "_-_

-.012

-.016-4 0 4 8 12 t6 20 24

or, dog

Co) Lateral-Directional CharacteristicsFigure 13. Concluded.

72

Page 75: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

8Model I"b l_In.gect/:m

6 _ _ "_"A 0 1I]_20B-2 50" Slab

0 IH_2OB-2 $0 _ AFN .....

4 .a _ _ _ __ _ A In.2o0-2so" ^rw.r-=,_

....._:_2 c_ rr ,o!

-4

.04 ............... _ f-

i

.02 '_'_

........_ -_- ._-- ._=----_ _

-.o_ ._=__........__._-.04 ,_ _...._ ......

-.06

CL .2

.6

. _ & :a.

-"A

-.4

-4 0 4 8 12 16 20 24 -.2 0 .2 .4 .6 .8

a, deg CL

(a) Longitudinal Characteristics

Figure 14. Effect of Fin Section m_d Fairing on the Aerodynamic Characteristics at M**

for the HL-2OB-2 configuration.

= 0.3

.24

.22

.20

.18

.16

.14

.12 CD

.10

.08

.06

.04

.02

0

.04

.02

0 Cm

-.02

-.04

-.061.0

73

Page 76: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

.O4

Model I"b l_n $ectiot_ ] '

Io Ill_20B-2 Off off

O JII,,-20B-2 50" Al_l-I:"_n:d

Cy_ -.04

-.08

C._

.0O8

.O04

-.004

-_ ..-_ _ _'c., _O _ -.c L--C--<--c-c --o_ ::0 _ _ ____c____

-.008

-.012

CIo

.0O4

-.004

-.008

-.012

-.016-4

---C=::( __<3..._ ....°L-- C

"C] ---_ .._..0

"-'-¢'3.

0 4 8 12 16 20 24

ct, deg

(b) Lateral-Directional Characteristics

Figure 14. Concluded.

74

Page 77: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

L/D

0

CL

0 4 8 12 16 20 24 -.2 0 .2 .4 .6

_,deg CL

Figure 15. Effect or Fin Dihedral and Airfoil Section on the Aerodynamic

; Charac|eristics at M_ = 0.3 for the HL-20B-2 configuration.

.14

.12 CD

.10

.02

0

75

Page 78: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

8Mod_! I"b Bn _c_on C_d

0 4 8 12 16 20 24 -.2 0 .2 .4 .6 .8

Figure 16.

e., deg CL

(a) Longitudinal Characteristics

Effect of Addition of Canard on the Aerodynamic Characteristics at M** = 0.3

for the HL-20B-2 configuration.

.22

.20

.18

.16

.14

.12

.10

.O8

.06

.04

.02

0

.O6

.O4

CD

.02

Cm

0

-.02

-.04

=.06

1.0

76

Page 79: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

.04

Model )"b Ra Section Ca,o_d

o }_,-20B-2 Off OfT off

D HL2OB.2 Off Off Oa

O 15,-209-2 $0" AFN'-P_-'I Off

tt IR,,-20B-2 50" AFN-Fm]red On

Cy_ -.04

-.08

Cn_

.OO8

._ -__<_, __ ___;__,_--0

-.004

-.008

-.012

Clp

.OO4

-.004

-.008

-.012

-.016-4

v-..c

\

0 4 8 12 16 20 24

or, dog

(a) Lateral-Directional Characteristics

Figure 16. Concluded.

77

Page 80: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

.24

.22

.2O

.18

.16

.14

.12 CD

.10

.08

.O6

.O4

.02

0

.6

.4

CL .2

-.2

°°4

-4

"o

0 4 8 12 16 20 24 -.2 0 .2 .4 .6 .8

.O4

.02

o Cm

-.02

-.04

-.06

1.0

CLdeg

Figure 17. Comparison of the Longitudinal Aerodynamic Characteristics at M. = 0.3for some selecled near-optimum performance HL-20A/B configurations and the original HL-20

with Fh = 50°.

78

11

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LID

I0

-2

.O6

.04

Cm .02

0

CL

Model F b Ill. Se¢_o.

...... o 15-20 50" _ $1_

o HL.20 50" S]_

...-c

Lead Or

.26torr .24

Oa __ __p__ ....

.22J

.16

/ .14

.12

df

0--4 ,-'C_

_ ______

.... J

.10

.O8

.O6

.04

.8

.6

.4

.2

0

-°2

-4 0 4 8 12 16 20 24 -.2 0 .2 .4 .6 .8

deg CL

(a) Longitudinal Characteristics

Figure 18. Effect of Landing Gear on the Aerodynamic Characteristics at M. = 0.3for the HL-20 configuration with the slab tip fin at l-'h= 50 °.

.02

0

.04

.O2

CD

C m

79

Page 82: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

.04

Model rb Pin _edon ],sad OT

0 lI]_20 $0" Slab OfT

(I HL-20 50" _dlb O_

Cy_

0

-.04

-.08

.OO8

C_

.OO4

-.004

-.008

-.012

.004

-.004

-,008

-.012

-.0i6-4

r

0 4 8 12 16 20 24

a, deg

(b) Lateral-Directional Characteristics

Figure 18. Concluded.

8O

11

Page 83: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE Fom,,,,op,=,,_OMB No. 0704-0188

Pul:,¢creO<xttngburden for this co.Ill, ion of Infoe'nation =,,elt_nated to s_rage 1 hour I_" .repot.m. _ the tW.e Ior _ _rmutctlo_. mr_ S]=t_lng ,,u,t= _UrON.gathetv_ in_ maintaining _ data needed, and comp_ting _¢I mviewf_ lhe ¢olle_ of Informatlon. Sencl oornments rs_r_ng tl_ Ix,,_W, emlmme or any ocher aspect of rollcollectioc of inlonnatioc. _¢,kJding sug0nlions kx _ lhi human, to Ws_Ington l.kmdQuanSrs ServloN. Dim_orste lot Information Ol_rations and Re0o_s. 1215 _ DaY4

H_,_y, Sure I_'04, _,n_c_. VA 2220_4._. ar_ to _ O_ce c_ Mar,,gen_ and S_,g,,t Pm,r,,o_ _ion _ (0_4-0_U}, W,_on. IX: 20S_.1. AGENCY USE ONLY (Leeveblank) 2. REPORT DATE 3. REPORTTYPE AND DATES COVERED

December 1995 Technical Memorandum4. TITLE AND SUBTIT'LE S. FUNDING NUMBERS

A Studyto Determine Methodsof Improvingthe SubsonicPerformance of 242-20-08-02A Proposed Personnel LaunchSystem (PLS) Concept

6. AUTHOR(S)

B. Spencer, Jr., C. H. Fox, Jr., and J. K. Huffman

7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(B) AND ADDRESS(ES)

NASA Langley Research CenterHampton. VA 23681-0001

9. SPONSORING I MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)

NationalAeronauticsand Space AdministrationWashington. DC 20546-0001

111. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATIONREPORT NUMBER

10. SPONSORING/MONITORING

AGENCY REPORT NUMBER

NASA TM-110201

12=.DISTRIBUTIONI AVAILABIUTYSTATEMENT

Unclassified - Unlimited

Subject Category 02

12b. DISTRIBUTION COI)E

13. ABSTRACT (Maximum 200 words)

An investigation has been conducted in the Langley 7- by 10-Foot High Speed Wind Tunnelto determine the longitudinal and lateral directional aerodynamic characteristics of a series of

personnel launch system concepts. This series of configurations evolved during an effort toimprove the subsonic characteristics of a proposed lifting entry vehicle (designated theHL-20). The primary purpose of the overall investigation was to provide a vehicle conceptwhich was inherently stable and trimable from entry to landing while examining methods ofimproving subsonic aerodynamic performance.

14. SUBJECTTERMS

Subsonic Performance Enhancement

17. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

OF REPORT

Unclassified

NSN 7540-01-280-5500

18. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

OF THIS PAGE

Unclassified

lS. NUMBER OF PAGES

81

16. PRICE CODE

A05

19. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION 20. UMITATION OF ABSTRACTOF ABSTRACT

I

Standard Form 208 (R_w. :!411})Pm_dt_ by N_ISI S_d. zae-lS

Page 84: A STUDY TO DETERMINE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE SUBSONIC PERFORMANCE OF A PROPOSED PERSONNEL LAUNCH SYSTEM (PLS) CONCEPT

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