Finite-difference calculation of hypersonic wakes

Abstract

A finite-difference method is used to solve the system of equations governing the hypersonic air wake with nonequilibrium chemistry; both laminar and turbulent transports are considered. Numerical results for laminar flow are compared with results of an integral method. Additional calculations for turbulent flow are presented to show some effects of the oxygen-electron attachment process in the far wake, and of the choice of the model of turbulent diffusivity.