Department of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering

Department is entering its second half century of instructional and research activities in the field of aeronautical and astronautical engineering. During recent years the curriculum has continued to be modified to keep in step with the fast changing developments in the aeronautical and aerospace industries. Fundamental theoretical and experimental studies are carried out in the ,several departmental facilities both on the Central and North Campuses. A summary ofthese activities follows. Aerodynamics Laboratory. The characteristic blunt shape of currently used reentry bodies has created considerable interest in the nature of the flow around such bodies. Research is carried out to determine the dynamic stability of blunt bodies in supersonic as well as in subsonic flows. Some understanding of these problems is obtained by observing the characteristic motions and wakes behind disks falling through a liquid (see photographs). Other studies on this type of body involve measurements of the effect of turbulence on the laminar heat transfer in the stagnation point relion. In' a study of the behavior of electric arcs in air streams 8uch an arc with currents up to 1000 amp. was successfully stabilized in a supersonic flow by means of a crossed magnetic field. The properties of the arc, such aa current, voltage drop, arc slant, and magnetic field strength, were measured. Other experimental studies involve the statistical 8tructure of the unsteady flow near the wall in a turbulent boundary layer. This work is part of a long-range 8tudy of boundary layer turbulence, probing into the causes of aircraft cabin noise and problem8 associated with underwater sonar detection method8.