Characterisation of Wake-Region Optical Emissions From an Ablative Hypersonic Glide Vehicle
Date
2026
Authors
Knight, J.
Kildare, J.
Zander, F.
Law, Y.W.
Evans, M.
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Conference paper
Citation
Proceedings of the AIAA Science and Technology Forum and Exposition, AIAA SciTech Forum, 2026, pp.1-18
Statement of Responsibility
Jarrad M. Knight, Jordan Kildare, Fabian Zander, Yee Wei Law and Michael J. Evans
Conference Name
Science and Technology Forum and Exposition (AIAA) (12 Jan 2026 - 16 Jan 2026 : Orlando, Florida)
Abstract
The effect of ablation on the structure and chemical composition of the wake behind the HIFiRE-5 vehicle at Mach 12.6 and 30 km altitude is examined to enhance understanding of possible wake-region emission spectra. A coupled flow-radiation-ablation numerical model is developed to resolve wake-region translational and vibro-electronic temperatures and the number densities of both air and ablation-derived species. For an ablating vehicle, carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) are identified as the major ablation products entering the wake, while wake-region nitric oxide (NO) is also enhanced relative to the non-ablating vehicle. The developed wake exhibits two apparent neck positions, driven by forebody boundary-layer crossflow, producing localized peaks in translational and vibro-electronic temperatures in the wake.
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Copyright © 2026 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc. All rights reserved.