Hypersonic Low-Density Cone Drag

T objective of this experimental study has been to obtain precise cone drag data in the transition regime of lowdensity hypersonic flow. Data of sufficient quality to 1) establish the variation of CD over this regime, 2) allow meaningful comparison with theory, and 3) allow single parameter studies to be conducted has been sought. In conjunction with a capability of high resolution, the first and perhaps foremost requirement of such data is reproducibility since common systematic uncertainties are usually more tolerable when variations (especially normalized) are of primary interest or when relative comparisons (to determine a single parameter's influence) are to be made.