Asymptotic solutions of the thin viscous shock layer equations near the symmetry plane of blunt bodies in hypersonic rarefied gas flow

The hypersonic rarefied gas flow over blunt bodies near the symmetry plane is investigated for the regime transitional from continuum to free-molecular. Three rarefied gas flow regimes are considered depending on the relationship between the determining parameters of the problem. For all regimes, at small Reynolds numbers, asymptotic solutions of the thin viscous shock layer equations near the symmetry plane of blunt bodies are obtained in the form of simple analytical expressions for the heat transfer, skin friction and pressure coefficients as functions of the gas-dynamic parameters of the free-stream flow and the geometric parameters and temperature of the body. With decrease in the Reynolds number these coefficients approach their values in free-molecular flow (with the accommodation coefficient equal to unity). From comparison with the data calculated using the direct simulation Monte Carlo method, the accuracy and applicability limits of the analytical solution are estimated.