Hypersonic flow-fields are those where the hypersonic similarity parameter, K, is large. Hypersonics represents the study of flow-fields that exhibit additional physics beyond supersonic flows. We are interested in the aerodynamic prediction of hypersonic flow-fields. We use traditional CFD, mathematical modeling, reduced order models, parabolic models, and novel analytical methods to predict hypersonic flow-fields. This work has been supported by multiple students including Christian King (Ph.D. student).

The NASA Ames All-Body Configuration was developed by NASA to validate and examine flight-vehicle characteristics of hypersonic wave riders. We exactly recreate the NASA Ames All-Body geometry within a fast and automatic surface grid generator that depends on cross-sectional area eccentricity. The volumetric grid that contains the flow-field solution is created during the solution process. The boundary layer can be completely resolved. Predictions based on this geometry are selected to match the flight conditions of Lockman “Flow over an All-Body Hypersonic-Aircraft: Experiment and Computation,” 1992.