Facing the Heat Barrier: A History of Hypersonics - V-2, Sanger, Missile Nose Cones, X-15, Scramjets, Space Shuttle, National Aerospace Plane (NASP), X-33, X-34 (NASA SP-2007-4232)

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Transportation, Aviation, Science & Nature, Science, Physics, Astrophysics & Space Science
Cover of the book Facing the Heat Barrier: A History of Hypersonics - V-2, Sanger, Missile Nose Cones, X-15, Scramjets, Space Shuttle, National Aerospace Plane (NASP), X-33, X-34 (NASA SP-2007-4232) by Progressive Management, Progressive Management
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Progressive Management ISBN: 9781465713551
Publisher: Progressive Management Publication: February 29, 2012
Imprint: Smashwords Edition Language: English
Author: Progressive Management
ISBN: 9781465713551
Publisher: Progressive Management
Publication: February 29, 2012
Imprint: Smashwords Edition
Language: English

This official NASA history document - converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction - is a fascinating and comprehensive account of the history of hypersonics, the study of flight where aerodynamic heating dominates the physics of the problem, normally at Mach 5 and higher. The text covers many famous programs and vehicles, including the V-2, missile nose cones, the X-15, scramjet technology, the Space Shuttle, the National Aerospace Plane (NASP), the X-33, and X-34.

Chapter 1 covers the immediate postwar years, when America still had much to learn from the Europeans. It focuses on two individuals: Eugen Sanger, who gave the first proposal for a hypersonic bomber, and John Becker, who built America's first hypersonic wind tunnel. Chapter 2 covers the first important area of hypersonic research and development, which supported the advent of strategic missiles during the 1950s. The focus was on solving the re-entry problem, and this chapter follows the story through flight tests of complete nose cones. Chapter 3 deals with the X-15, which took shape at a time when virtually the whole of America's capability in hypersonics research was contained within Becker's 11-inch instrument. Today it is hard to believe that so bold and so successful a step in aviation research could stand on so slender a foundation. Chapter 4 introduces hypersonic propulsion and emphasizes the work of Antonio Ferri, an Italian aerodynamicist who was the first to give a credible concept for a scramjet engine. This chapter also surveys Aerospaceplane, a little-known program of paper studies that investigated the feasibility of flight to orbit using such engines. The next two chapters cover important developments in re-entry that followed the ICBM. Chapter 5, "Widening Prospects for Re-Entry," shows how work in this area supported the manned space program while failing to offer a rationale for a winged spacecraft, Dyna-Soar. Chapter 6, "Hypersonics and the Shuttle," begins by outlining developments during the mid-1960s that made it plausible that NASA's reusable space transporter would be designed as a lifting body and built using hot structures. Chapter 7, "The Fading, the Comeback," shows how work with scramjets did not share the priority afforded to the topic of re-entry. Instead it faded, and by the late 1960s only NASA-Langley was still pursuing studies in this area. This ongoing effort nevertheless gave important background to the National Aerospace Plane— but it was not technical success that won approval for NASP. As noted, it was the Strategic Defense Initiative. NASP was not well-founded at the outset; it was more of a leap of faith. Chapter 8, "Why NASP Fell Short," explains what happened. In summary, the estimated performance of its scramjet engine fell well below initial hopes, while the drag was higher than expected. Computational aerodynamics failed to give accurate estimates in critical technical areas. The ejector ramjet, a key element of the propulsion system, proved to lack the desired performance. In the area of materials, metallurgists scored an impressive success with a new type of titanium called Beta-21S. It had only half the density of the superalloys that had been slated for Dyna-Soar, but even greater weight savings would have been needed for NASP. Finally, Chapter 9 discusses "Hypersonics After NASP." Recent developments include the X-33 and X-34 launch vehicles, which represent continuing attempts to build the next launch vehicle. Scramjets have lately taken flight, not only as NASA's X-43A but also in Russia and in Australia. In addition, the new topic of Large Eddy Simulation, in computational fluid mechanics, raises the prospect that analysts indeed may learn, at least on paper, just how good a scramjet may be.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This official NASA history document - converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction - is a fascinating and comprehensive account of the history of hypersonics, the study of flight where aerodynamic heating dominates the physics of the problem, normally at Mach 5 and higher. The text covers many famous programs and vehicles, including the V-2, missile nose cones, the X-15, scramjet technology, the Space Shuttle, the National Aerospace Plane (NASP), the X-33, and X-34.

Chapter 1 covers the immediate postwar years, when America still had much to learn from the Europeans. It focuses on two individuals: Eugen Sanger, who gave the first proposal for a hypersonic bomber, and John Becker, who built America's first hypersonic wind tunnel. Chapter 2 covers the first important area of hypersonic research and development, which supported the advent of strategic missiles during the 1950s. The focus was on solving the re-entry problem, and this chapter follows the story through flight tests of complete nose cones. Chapter 3 deals with the X-15, which took shape at a time when virtually the whole of America's capability in hypersonics research was contained within Becker's 11-inch instrument. Today it is hard to believe that so bold and so successful a step in aviation research could stand on so slender a foundation. Chapter 4 introduces hypersonic propulsion and emphasizes the work of Antonio Ferri, an Italian aerodynamicist who was the first to give a credible concept for a scramjet engine. This chapter also surveys Aerospaceplane, a little-known program of paper studies that investigated the feasibility of flight to orbit using such engines. The next two chapters cover important developments in re-entry that followed the ICBM. Chapter 5, "Widening Prospects for Re-Entry," shows how work in this area supported the manned space program while failing to offer a rationale for a winged spacecraft, Dyna-Soar. Chapter 6, "Hypersonics and the Shuttle," begins by outlining developments during the mid-1960s that made it plausible that NASA's reusable space transporter would be designed as a lifting body and built using hot structures. Chapter 7, "The Fading, the Comeback," shows how work with scramjets did not share the priority afforded to the topic of re-entry. Instead it faded, and by the late 1960s only NASA-Langley was still pursuing studies in this area. This ongoing effort nevertheless gave important background to the National Aerospace Plane— but it was not technical success that won approval for NASP. As noted, it was the Strategic Defense Initiative. NASP was not well-founded at the outset; it was more of a leap of faith. Chapter 8, "Why NASP Fell Short," explains what happened. In summary, the estimated performance of its scramjet engine fell well below initial hopes, while the drag was higher than expected. Computational aerodynamics failed to give accurate estimates in critical technical areas. The ejector ramjet, a key element of the propulsion system, proved to lack the desired performance. In the area of materials, metallurgists scored an impressive success with a new type of titanium called Beta-21S. It had only half the density of the superalloys that had been slated for Dyna-Soar, but even greater weight savings would have been needed for NASP. Finally, Chapter 9 discusses "Hypersonics After NASP." Recent developments include the X-33 and X-34 launch vehicles, which represent continuing attempts to build the next launch vehicle. Scramjets have lately taken flight, not only as NASA's X-43A but also in Russia and in Australia. In addition, the new topic of Large Eddy Simulation, in computational fluid mechanics, raises the prospect that analysts indeed may learn, at least on paper, just how good a scramjet may be.

More books from Progressive Management

Cover of the book Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: Environmental, Health, and Safety Research Strategy, Human and Environmental Exposure Assessment, Innovative Medical Research at the Molecular Scale by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Fire Weather (Agriculture Handbook 360) Part 2 - Guide for Application of Meteorological Information to Forest Fire Control Operations, Winds, Moisture, Temperature, Fronts, Thunderstorms, Climate by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Gangs and Guerrillas: Ideas from Counterinsurgency and Counterterrorism - Understanding the Adversary, Becoming a Terrorist, Ethnography, Group Identity, Young Male Problem by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Into the Unknown Together: The DOD, NASA, and Early Spaceflight - Human Spaceflight, Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL), Dynasoar, Mercury, Gemini, Apollo Programs, Space Exploration by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 2014 American Arctic Strategy: Russia and China, Minerals and Resources, Recoverable Oil in the Arctic Circle, Arctic Militarization, Freedom of Navigation, Sea Lines of Communication by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century Military Documents: A Guide to Female Soldier Readiness - Hygiene, Nutrition, Health, Reproductive Hazards, Pregnancy, Parenting, STDs, Menstruation, Sexual Assault, Injury, Family Care by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Naval Aviation in World War I: Official Reference Source, Naval Aircraft, the Flying Bomb, Hewitt and Elmer Sperry, War Against the U-Boat, Navy's First Ace, Training at MIT and Yale by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Advancing Strategic Thought Series: Defense Planning For National Security: Navigation Aids for the Mystery Tour, Black Swan Events, Clausewitz, Futurology, Strategic History by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Organizational Learning and the Marine Corps: The Counterinsurgency Campaign in Iraq - Anbar Narrative and Unexpected Success, Ramadi, All the Wrong Moves, AQI's Targeted Killing, Counterterrorism by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Plant and Crop-based Biofuels and Industrial Biotechnology: Comprehensive World Survey of Biofuel Industries and Processes, Renewable Energy and Resources Roadmap by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Project Orion Nuclear Pulse Rocket, Technical Reports on the Orion Concept, Atomic Bombs Propelling Massive Spaceships to the Planets, External Pulsed Plasma Propulsion by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Office of the Secretary of the Air Force 1947-1965: World War II, Symington, Berlin Airlift, Battle over B-36, Korean War, Scientist Secretary, Missiles, Air Force Academy, ARPA, NASA, B-70 by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Influencing Tomorrow: Study of Emerging Influence Techniques and Their Relevance to United States Information Operations - ISIS, ISIL, al-Qaeda, Islamic State, Terrorists, Russia, Information Warfare by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Reflections on Air Force Independence - Transition from the Army Air Forces (AAF), Creation of USAF, Strategic Air Command (SAC), World War II, Atomic Bomb by Progressive Management
Cover of the book History of the Air Corps Tactical School 1920 -1940: World War I, Langley Field, Maxwell Field, Air Corps Doctrinal Center, Precision Bombardment, Conflict with the War Department General Staff by Progressive Management
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy