Stagnation Point Heat-Transfer Measurements in Dissociated Air

The results of an experimental investigation of the laminar heat transfer at the stagnation point of a blunt body in partially dissociated air are presented and are compared to the theoretical treatment of Fay and Riddell. Heat-transfer results are presented for air temperatures as high as 8,000 °K. where more than 50 per cent of the molecules are in the dissociated state. The experiments were performed in a shock tube and the new experimental techniques and principles are discussed briefly. Simulation of flight stagnation conditions at velocities up to satellite velocity of 26,000 ft./sec. is shown to be possible in shock tubes and data has been obtained over a large altitude range at these velocities.