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Reusable launch vehicles have many benefits over their expendable counterparts. These benefits range from cost reductions to increased functionality of the vehicles. Further research is required in the development of the technology necessary for reusable launch vehicles to come to fruition. The Air Force Institute of Technology's future involvement in the ExFIT program will entail designing and testing of a new wing tip mounted vertical stabilizer in the hypersonic regime. One proposed venue for experimentation is to utilize the United States Air Force Academy's FalconLAUNCH Program which annually designs, builds, and launches a sounding rocket capable of reaching hypersonic speeds. In the Spring of 2010 an experimental wing geometry will be flown on FalconLAUNCH VIII for the ExFIT Program. The following study outlines the Computational Fluid Dynamics analysis used to determine lift and drag characteristics as well as temperature distributions of the wing geometry before testing to produce a successful launch. A majority of this analysis focused on the effects caused by shock waves forming on the winglet and their impact on the lifting characteristics and temperature distribution of the wing. Ultimately a recommendation of a 3o angle of attack is given for the experimental wings on the rocket. At this configuration the lift and drag generated by the experimental wings will be at a minimum allowing for greater stability and speed throughout the flight of the rocket.

The AFIT Combustion Optimization and Analysis Laser (COAL) laboratory has state-of-the-art laser diagnostic capability for combustion process. The research for this thesis served to enhance the COAL lab's capability. Currently, there are no known commercially available tunable diode lasers that produce Ultra-Violet radiation required for this analysis. Sum-frequency generation at 313.5 nm was utilized for high speed OH absorption and temperature measurements at a rate of 2kHz. The Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy system was validated by comparison with theoretical and well characterized experimental data by operating the system over a wide range of conditions for an H2 laminar flame produced by a Hencken burner. The TDLAS system was able to perform at reasonable accuracy. After validation, the system was also characterized for a turbulent environment by comparing turbulent and flame structure theory with results obtained from a C2H4/N2 jet flame. The testing was also conducted for a range of conditions and produced reasonable results. The accuracy of the system is sufficient for utilization in investigating behavior in a turbulent, combusting environment.