航天器返回地球的气动特性综述

A comprehensive analysis of aerodynamics for spacecraft re-entery Earth's atmosphere surroundings

航天器返回地球的飞行过程中,气动特性是实现将宇宙飞行速度减到落地前速度、保证再入飞行得到有效控制以及再入防热安全可靠的关键因素。针对简单旋成体气动外形、半弹道式再入控制、烧蚀防热类返回航天器,综述了返回地球过程中变化的空气流域特性、航天器周围的气体绕流环境、空气与航天器作用产生的动力学与热效应等。系统地给出了该类航天器的再入气动特性参数与飞行性能的共性规律,包括:气动阻力与再入减速、气动升力与再入轨迹控制、配平攻角与飞行稳定性、气动加热与防热,以及再入过程中不同气动特性航天器、气象条件变化等对再入飞行性能的影响规律。为航天器开展返回飞行过程的跨流域气动性能工程研制提供设计参考。

Aerodynamic characteristics of spacecraft re-entering Earth＇s atmosphere is the key factor to achieve the spaceflight velocity reduction to the landing speed and ensure the effective control of re-entry flight and the re-entry thermal protection with safety and reliability, which is one of the core basic techniques in the development of space vehicles. In this paper, for a class of aerodynamic configuration for the spacecraft re-entering from orbit, the researches and analyses including the aerodynamic action during spacecraft flight re-entering to the Earth, the gas flow surrounding around the spacecraft, and the dynamic and thermal effects from the interaction of air and spacecraft are put into practice on the basis of the typical re-entry control and thermal protection technologies. The common characteristics and the changing rules have been systematically presented including the spacecraft re-entry aerodynamic drag and re-entry deceleration, aerodynamic lift and re-entry trajectory control, trim of angle of attack and flight stability, as well as aerodynamic heating and thermal protection. The influence mechanisms of different re-entry aerodynamic characteristics and changing weather conditions have also been revealed on reentry flight performance. The researching results provide the design references for engineering development of aerodynamic performance covering various flow regimes in the process of spacecraft re-entry flight.