Hyper-X research vehicle experimental aerodynamics test program overview

An overview is provided of the experimental aerodynamics test program to ensure mission success for the autonomous flight of the Hyper-X research vehicle, a 12-ft-long, 2700-lb lifting body technology demonstrator designed to flight demonstrate for the first time a fully airframe-integrated scramjet propulsion system. Three flights are planned, two at Mach 7 and one at Mach 10. The research vehicles will be boosted to the prescribed scramjet engine test point, where they will separate from the booster, stabilize, and initiate engine test. Following more than 5 s of powered flight and 15 s of cowl-open tares, the cowl will close, and the vehicle will fly a controlled deceleration trajectory, which includes numerous control doublets for in-flight aerodynamic parameter identification. The preflight testing activities, wind-tunnel models, test rationale, risk reduction activities, and sample results from wind-tunnel tests supporting the flight trajectory from hypersonic engine test point through subsonic flight termination are reviewed.