Aerodynamic analysis and wind tunnel testing on maglev launch assist

The aerodynamic characteristics of a maglev (or magnetic levitation) launch assist vehicle were analyzed and rational design principles for its aerodynamic shape were proposed. The aerodynamic shape configuration for the maglev sled as well as for the support and separation structure was analyzed and the optimal values of design parameters were obtained. A wind tunnel testing for a scale model was made in the FD-06 wind tunnel, in which simulation ground effect was considered. The results show that the lift and drag coefficient increases along with the increase of Mach number or the attack angle of the space vehicles. The launch assist vehicle has a tendency to face upward. When the attack angle is zero, the drag coefficient is relatively small and the variation of each coefficient is relatively small too.