The Hypersonic Flight Experiment SHEFEX

Abstract

The purpose of the SHarp Edge Flight EXperiment SHEFEX is the investigation of possible new shapes for future launcher or reentry vehicles [1]. The main focus is the improvement of common space vehicle shapes by application of facetted surfaces and sharp edges. The experiment will enable the time accurate investigation of the flow effects and their structural answer during the hypersonic flight from 90 km down to an altitude of 20 km. The project, being performed under responsibility of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) is scheduled to fly on top of a two-stage solid propellant sounding rocket for October 2005. The paper decribes the overall philosophy of the project and gives a survey of the aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic as well as the configurational layout of the e xperimental vehicle.