Experimental Study of Air-Assisted Rocket System Models for Launching Payloads into a Low Earth Orbit

Abstract

This paper presents the results of aerodynamic testing of air-launch rocket kit models for launching payloads into a low Earth orbit. The work was performed in a low-speed wind tunnel at the Military University of Technology (MUT, Warsaw, Poland)), using symmetrical airflow. Two carrier aircraft models were tested, i.e., Su-22 and MiG-29 aircraft without launched payloads and with these payloads at a dynamic pressure of q = 500 [Pa] and the range of angles of attack at α = -2828. The values obtained related to the aerodynamic drag coefficient, aerodynamic lift coefficient, pitching moment coefficient and lift to drag ratio, and are given in tabular and graphic forms. The tests were primarily used to validate the numerical results obtained during implementation of the project “Air-assisted rocket system for launching payloads into low Earth orbit - feasibility study”.

Keywords

• mechanical engineering
• aerodynamics
• wind tunnel