Initial Results of the BOLT-1B Flight Experiment

Abstract

The Boundary Layer Transition (BOLT) series of flight experiments was designed to study hypersonic boundary-layer transition and turbulence on a geometry with low-curvature concave surfaces and highly-swept leading edges. A re-fly of the BOLT-1A flight experiment, named BOLT-1B, was designed, fabricated, and tested in preparation for flight from Andøya Space in Norway. BOLT-1B was successfully launched on September 2nd, 2024 at 0941 UTC. A best estimate atmosphere has been completed and preliminary reconstructions of the as-flown trajectory show Mach 7 experimental windows with vehicle angles of attack and side slip angles below 1