Hypersonic Reading Room
This is a list of reading for people new to hypersonic flight technology development focused on accessible (non-technical), and free materials. Reading these will give one an understanding of the historical context for contemporary developments in hypersonic flight.
Facing the Heat Barrier: A History of Hypersonics
by T.A. Heppenheimer, NASA SP-2007-4232.
From Eugen S?nger's Silver Birds to X-43, this is the most accessible, and wide ranging history of hypersonic flight technology development. If you're only going to read one thing on this list, then read this.
The Hypersonic Revolution: Case Studies in the History of Hypersonic Technology
Exactly what the title says: a collection of project descriptions (case studies) spanning from the interwar period to the post-Cold War peace dividend in three volumes available free on DTIC. Abstract: "The history of hypersonics teaches that faith in, and unquestioning acceptance of, a hypersonic future is akin to belief in the Second Coming one knows and trusts that it will occur, but one cant be certain when. That hypersonics is yet again in a period of renewal echoes a familiar theme in the history of hypersonic research and development. As programs have waxed and waned, the field has progressed through various cycles of growing interest and rising optimism followed by cancellation, pessimism, and slow rebuilding of interest."
领英推荐
Engineering the Space Age: A Rocket Scientist Remembers
by Robert V. Brulle, 2008.
While the previous entries in the reading list are from large organization history shops, "Engineering the Space Age" is more personal memoir. Interesting topics include the early steps of boost-glide weapon systems: Alpha Draco and Boost-Glide Reentry Vehicle (BGRV).
Lightning Bolts: First Manuevering Reentry Vehicles
by William Yengst, 2010.
"Lightning Bolts" is also a personal memoir with interesting coverage of the early maneuvering and gliding hypersonic reentry vehicle technology developments: Advanced Ballistic Reentry Systems (ABRES), Maneuvering Ballistic Reentry Vehicle (MBRV), Boost Glide Reentry Vehicle (BGRV), Maneuvering Reaction Control and Ablation Studies (MARCAS), Pershing II, etc.
Consultant at Missile Design, Development, and System Engineering
1 年Thank you for sharing your historical collection of hypersonic reports. ? My first job in the year 1964 was working at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in the area hypersonics.
Engineering Consultant for Systems Engineering, Airworthiness, Hypersonics, and Flight Systems
3 年Very good list on the history, trials and tribulations of hypersonic flight. I read these back in the day as the Chief Engineer for the X-51. ??
President Charles L Legg Associates, Inc.
3 年Great for speed readers. :)