Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 March 2006
The linearized theory of axisymmetric hypersonic source flow past a slender pointed body is treated by using linearized potential theory, assuming that the hypersonic parameter is less than unity. The governing equation in the transformed co-ordinates with the ratio of specific heats γ = 1.5 shows a modified form relative to the equation for parallel flow, whereas that with γ = 2 shows essentially the same form. Some numerical calculations for a cone and a cone-cylinder are presented, and the surface pressure distributions obtained for both γ = 1.5 and 2 show that there is a considerable pressure-distribution difference between source flow and parallel flow. The pressure on a cone in hypersonic source flow approaches zero downstream, while, if the cone has a cylindrical afterbody, the pressure recovers to the free-stream value quickly. This suggests that the static pressure probe for supersonic parallel flow is useful also in source flow.