Radiative gasdynamics of the nose surface of the Apollo-4 command module at its superobrital reentry

Abstract

The problem of the radiative gasdynamics of the Apollo-4 command module superorbital entry in the dense terrestrial atmosphere is numerically solved in the two-dimensional formulation of flow past an aerodynamic nose shield on the entry velocity range V_∞ = 10.7−5.75 km/s and the altitude range H = 91.5−35.0 km. The specific regions of the trajectory with strongly nonequilibrium flow in the shock layer, the most high-heat areas of the trajectory, and the regions with strong radiative-gasdynamic interaction in a relatively dense and strongly rarefied oncoming flow are highlighted. The density distributions of the convective and radiative heat fluxes over the body surface are obtained. The spectral composition of the thermal radiation is studied. The results of the calculations are compared and found to be in good agreement with the experimental flight data.