Shape and Trajectory Optimisation of a Hypersonic Experimental Vehicle: Application of the Axisymmetric Analogue Technique

In the context of re-entry technology development, this thesis investigates the influence of viscous effects and shape optimisation on the flight-experiment objectives of Hyperion-II, a small low-cost lifting vehicle. To this end, the vehicle trajectory is optimised for two separate missions: a level flight and a constant Mach flight. Both missions can be very attractive to conduct a wide range of hypersonic experiments, including the study of boundary-layer transition. One objective of the current work is the formulation of a parameterisation capable of generating the various possible shapes of Hyperion-II using a limited number of variables. Equally important is the development and application of a software based on the coupling of the modified Newtonian theory and the axisymmetric-analogue-based viscous method. The ultimate goal of the research is to contribute to increasing the reliability and applicability of the conceptual design phase which generally runs the risk of producing vehicle designs unfeasible in the subsequent design phases.Aerospace Engineerin