Hypersonic Flow past LD-Haack Series, Parabolic Series, Power Series Nose Cone: A Comparative Study

This research paper presents a detailed aerodynamic analysis of three rocket nose cone designs—LD-Haack, Parabolic, and Power Series—under hypersonic conditions ranging from Mach 5 to Mach 12. Using advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations in ANSYS Fluent, the study focuses on key aerodynamic parameters, including drag force, drag coefficient, velocity, pressure, and temperature distributions. The results indicate that the Parabolic Nose Cone offers the most favorable aerodynamic performance, with the lowest drag force and drag coefficient across all Mach numbers. This superior performance can be attributed to its ability to streamline airflow and minimize boundary layer separation, effectively reducing pressure drag and limiting the onset of turbulent wake regions. In contrast, the LD-Haack Series Nose Cone, though designed to minimize wave drag at supersonic speeds, shows moderate drag at hypersonic velocities due to its less optimal control of boundary layer behavior. The Power Series Nose Cone, despite its highly tapered shape, experiences the highest drag. This is largely caused by increased flow separation and turbulent wake generation, which exacerbate pressure drag, particularly at higher Mach numbers. These findings highlight the critical influence of nose cone geometry on aerodynamic efficiency and emphasize the importance of optimizing designs for hypersonic applications. This study provides valuable insights for aerospace engineers seeking to reduce drag and improve performance in high-speed flight scenarios.