Characterization of the Three-Dimensional Flowfield over a Truncated Linear Aerospike

The work focuses on the characterization of the flowfield over a truncated linear aerospike by combining theoretical grounds, numerical simulations and experimental tests. The experimental investigations are carried out on a test rig designed at Politecnico di Torino for advanced nozzle testing. Fully three-dimensional CFD analyses are performed on the actual geometry of the experimental nozzle model. At low nozzle pressure ratios ( NPRs) the analysis combines numerical simulations and experimental testing, which are also used for validating the CFD results. At higher NPRs, the flowfield characterization is performed only by three-dimensional CFD analyses. In addition to the validation of the numerical method, the edge effects at different NPR s have been observed.