Nonequilibrium Phenomena Behind Strong Shock Waves Generated in Superorbital Reentry Flight

The aerothermodynamic behavior behind the strong shock wave in air that is associated with a superorbital reentry flight was investigated experimentally. For the experiment, a free-piston-driven shock tube was used, and radiation from behind the shock front was investigated spectroscopically. Based on the spectroscopic measurement, the spatial distributions of the rotational/vibrational temperatures of molecules (N 2 and N + 2), the electron excitation temperature of atomic nitrogen N, and the electron density were determined in the region behind the shock front. These results were reviewed by comparison with those previously determined for a nitrogen gas