Measurement of Pressures and Heat Transfer by FM Telemetry

A measurement system for obtaining pressure and heat-transfer data from models flying freely in hypersonic tunnel streams is described. Test models are either released from suspension threads or launched by low-velocity pneumatic launchers and have internal miniaturized frequency-modulated telemetry units. This technique permits the historically desired measurement of support-free afterbody pressure and heat-transfer rates. Base heating and pressure measurements for a cone and a sphere in free flight are included to illustrate application.