HIFiRE 7 - Development of a 3-D Scramjet for Flight Testing

Abstract

The HyShot 2 flight in 2002 pioneered a low cost method of hypersonic testing using sounding rockets. In a further development of this technology, Flight 7 of the HIFiRE Program will deploy a free-flying scramjet powered payload that is planned to enter the atmosphere at a high flight path angle at approximately Mach 8. The HIFiRE 7 payload consists of two back-to-back three-dimensional scramjet engines set within a trailing flare for aerodynamic stability. The scientific goals of the flight are to perform a direct measurement of the thrust generated by the scramjet flowpaths, and to compare the measured thrust with estimates based on ground testing. This paper describes the motivation, launch procedure, flowpath development and ground testing for the flight which is scheduled for March 2011. Copyright