A REVIEW OF RESEARCH PERFORMED AT THE POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE OF BROOKLYN, AEROSPACE INSTITUTE UNDER GRANT AF-AFOSR-62-409.

Abstract : Research is summarized on a theoretical analysis of continuum flow fields about hypersonic vehicles. Study of the asymptotic inviscid flow field about slender bodies is emphasized. Since indications are that for slender bodies transition in the boundary layer occurs at high altitudes, the turbulent regime is given special attention. A consistent asymptotic solution is obtained for flows of perfect gases at infinite Mach number, and qualitative features of flows at large finite Mach number are considered. Three-dimensional boundary-layer problems are discussed. It is found that only in the two limiting cases of low and infinite external Mach number is boundary-layer similarity possible. Problems relating to chemical reactions in the boundary layer are also investigated. For the analysis, an approximate technique is used based on linearization about the Blasius solution. (Author)