Turbulent boundary layer rough surface heat transfer on blunt bodies at high heating rates

An experimental investigation was conducted on the effects of surface roughness on compressible turbulent boundary layer flows over blunt bodies under conditions simulating atmospheric reentry. Experiments were performed in a 50 megawatt arc heater facility which is capable of producing high pressure-high enthalpy air flow necessary for reentry simulation. Heat transfer data were obtained over a range of surface roughness designed to simulate the surface roughness found on typical materials used for reentry thermal protection. The results were correlated with available rough surface heat transfer analysis techniques and recommendations were made relative to analysis techniques most appropriate for design of reentry thermal protection systems.