Ernst Heinrich Hirschel

1958-1963: study of Aerospace Engineering at RWTH Aachen. 1966-1967: NASA University Fellowship at the University of Alabama, Huntsville, USA. 1963-1979 research work at the DFVLR Institute of Applied Gasdynamics. Since 1973 Head Theory and Numerics. 1970 Dr.-Ing. RWTH Aachen. 1975-1982 lecturer (Dr.-Ing. habil.) and Professor Extraordinarius RWTH Aachen, from 1982-1991 Technical University München, since 1992 University Stuttgart. 1980-1999 with MBB/EADS Military Aircraft Division, 1988-1990 Head Theoretical Aerodynamics, 1990-1994 Manager Technology Air Vehicle Engineering and 1994-1999 Technology Flight Physics, Chief Engineer. Major involvement in HERMES project, German Hypersonics Technology Programme, Future European Space Transportation Investigations Programme (FESTIP). From 1984 to 2008 General Editor of the “Notes on Numerical Fluid Mechanics and Multidisciplinary Design”, Springer-Verlag. Scientific and technical expertise in Fluid Mechanics, Aerodynamics, Aerothermodynamics, Flow-Physics Modelling, Numerical Methods, Multidisciplinary Design. About 100 journal and conference publications, several book publications. Member GAMM, AIAA, corresponding member of the European Air and Space Academy.

Recent publications:

• E. H. Hirschel, H. Prem, G. Madelung (editors): „Aeronautical Research in Germany - from Lilienthal until Today“. Springer-Verlag, Berlin/Heidelberg/New York, 2004.
  
• E. H. Hirschel: „Basics of Aerothermodynamics“. Springer-Verlag, Berlin/Heidelberg/New York, 2005, and Vol. 204, Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, AIAA, Reston, VA, 2005.
  
• E. H. Hirschel, E. Krause (editors): „100 Volumes of ‘Notes on Numerical Fluid Mechanics’“. 40 Years of Numerical Fluid Mechanics and Aerodynamics in Retrospect.Volume 100 of Notes on Numerical Fluid Mechanics and Multidisciplinary Design, Springer-Verlag, Berlin/Heidelberg/New York, 2009.
  
• E. H. Hirschel, C. Weiland: „Selected Aerothermodynamics Design Problems of Hypersonic Flight Vehicles“.Springer-Verlag, Berlin/Heidelberg/New York, 2009, and Vol. 229, Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, AIAA, Reston, VA, 2009.

CRITICAL ISSUES IN DEFINITION AND DEVELOPMENT OF HYPERSONIC AIRBREATHERS

Abstract

First Breguet’s range equation is considered. Aerodynamic performance, vehicle mass and specific fuel consumption of airbreathing flight vehicles are discussed in view of design margins, data uncertainties, and design sensitivities. The two aspects of Cayley’s design paradigm are looked at. The sub-phases (conceptual studies, pre-design, design) of the vehicle definition phase, and important milestones of this phase and the vehicle development phase are pointed out. Then selected design challenges of airbreathing cruise/acceleration and ascent/re-entry vehicles are surveyed. In the background are the reference concept of the German Hyperso-nics Technology Programme, the TSTO space-transportation system SÄNGER, reference concepts of the Future European Space Transportation Investigations Programme, and other vehicles. Finally air-vehicle engineering issues of airbreathing hypersonic vehicles are discussed in view of their definition and development phases. Large design sensitivities and small pay-load fractions of such vehicles make it necessary to turn away from classical aircraft development and test approaches to new ones, with numerical multidisciplinary simulation and optimisation as well as experimental vehicles playing a deciding role.

Letztes Update: 14:52:26 - 19.05.2010