The paper presents results of wind tunnel tests of the Experimental Rocket Platform (ERP), which is developed in Institute of Aviation. It is designed as an easy accessible and affordable platform for microgravity experiments. Proposed design enables to perform experiments in microgravity for almost 150 seconds with apogee of about 100 km.
The full-scale model of the ERP has been investigated in the T-3 wind tunnel in Institute of Aviation. During the investigation, the aerodynamic loads of the rocket has been measured for the angle of attack up to 10° and the different rotation angle around the longitudinal axis (up to 90°, depending on the configuration). Three configurations has been investigated:
• without fins and boosters
• with fins and without boosters
• with fins and boosters
Additionally, the measurements of velocity field around the ERP using the Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) has been performed.
Based on the wind tunnel test, an influence of fins and boosters on aerodynamic characteristics of the rocket has been described. Results of the wind tunnel tests show relatively high contribution of boosters in total aerodynamic drag. Some conclusions concerning performance and stability of the rocket have been presented.
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of two parallel boosters fixed to the ILR 33 AMBER 2 K core rocket stage on its aerodynamic characteristics in the subsonic and transonic regimes and for M = 2.3.
Design/methodology/approach
Wind tunnel tests of the rocket model were carried out in a trisonic wind tunnel using a six-component internal balance. Three rocket model configurations were investigated.
Findings
The results of the presented studies showed that the presence of boosters causes a significant increase in the total rocket drag, which depends on both the Mach number and the rocket flight phase. Experimental tests of the rocket model allowed to determine the difference in drag coefficient between active and passive flight versus Mach number. It was found that, in the case of a deviation from the rocket’s flight direction, the aerodynamic coefficients strongly depend on the location of the boosters in relation to the direction of the deviation.
Practical implications
Studies of the rocket model aerodynamic characteristics allow the assessment of the influence of parallel boosters on rocket performance, which is important when the decision of a rocket staging type is taken.
Originality/value
The presented wind tunnel test results of the rocket model equipped with the two parallel boosters are an original contribution to the rocket research results presented in the literature.
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