Numerical and Experimental Investigation of PRORA USV Subsonic and Transonic Aerodynamics

The Italian unmanned space program PRORA USV (Programma di Ricerca Aerospaziale Unmanned Space Vehicle) is a technological program focused on the realization of flying test beds to demonstrate key vehicle and operational technologies applicable to future reusable launch vehicles. In this framework, the dropped transonic flight test is the first in a series of flight experiments the objective of which is the investigation of the final transonic part of the orbital return phase of a winged reentry vehicle. To prepare this mission, the development of the aerodynamic database is in progress, using both extensive wind tunnel tests and computational fluid dynamics. This study deals with investigations focused on the aerodynamic characterization of vehicle rudders in subsonic and transonic regimes for different angles of attack and rudder deflections. The aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle are computed and discussed. Comparisons between numerical and available experimental data show a satisfactory agreement.