Gas-Dynamic Aspects of the Influence of Homogeneous Condensation on the Flow Structure of an Underexpanded Low-Density Supersonic Jet

This paper presents the results of an experimental study of the effect of heat input through homogeneous condensation in a supersonic expanding flow on the density distribution and shock-wave structure of underexpanded rarefied gas jets. This effect is shown to be significant in modeling the force and thermal effects of control and orientation thruster plumes on adjacent spacecraft structural elements.