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An analytical method for ditching analysis of an airborne vehicle

NASA NTRS · Contractor Report (CR) · 19880005586 · Published 1995-11-04 · Langley Research Center · 1 author

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Abstract and citation only, verbatim from NASA NTRS; full text lives there. All credit to the authors and Langley Research Center.

Abstract

A simple analytical method has been introduced for aerohydrodynamic load analysis of an airborne configuration during water ditching. The method employs an aerodynamic panel code, based on linear potential flow theory, to simulate the flow of air and water around an aircraft configuration. The free surface separating the air and water region is represented by doublet sheet singularities. Although all the theoretical load distributions are computed for air, provisions are made to correct the pressure coefficients obtained on the configuration wetted surfaces to account for the water density. As an analytical tool, the Vortex Separation Aerodynamic (VSAERO) code is chosen to carry out the present investigation. After assessing the validity of the method, its first application is to analyze the water ditching of the Space Shuttle configuration at a 12 degree attitude.

Author

  • Farhad Ghaffari ViGYAN (United States)

Keywords

  • Linear potential flow
  • Incompressible
  • Ditching
  • Space Shuttle

Citation

Farhad Ghaffari (1995). An analytical method for ditching analysis of an airborne vehicle. Langley Research Center. NASA NTRS ID 19880005586. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19880005586 ↗