Theoretical Aerodynamic Characteristics of Bodies in a Free-Molecule-Flow Field

Abstract : An analytic investigation is made of the aerodynamic coefficients of various bodies located in a free-molecule-flow field These bodies are the following: flat plate, cylinder, sphere, and cone. Calculations are performed using values of molecular speed ratio (ratio of stream speed to most probable molecular speed) ranging from 0 to 20. The aerodynamic coefficients of a cone are calculated for angles of attack ranging from 0 degrees to 60 degrees. The semivertex angles of the cones investigated vary from 2.5 degrees to 30 degrees.