Aerodynamic characteristics, database development and flight simulation of the X-34 vehicle

M An overview of the aerodynamic characteristics, fl development of the preflight aerodynamic database and 6 flight simulation of the NASA/Orbital X-34 vehicle is presented in this paper. To develop the aerodynamic daS_ tabase, wind tunnel tests from subsonic to hypersonic _h,_ r Mach numbers including ground effect tests at low sub6sh sonic speeds were conducted in various facilities at the AC i NASA Langley Research Center. Where wind tunnel test data was not available, engineering level analysis is used to fill the gaps in the database. Using this aerodynamic data, simulations have been performed for typical design reference missions of the X-34 vehicle.