NEW SCATTERING KERNEL FOR GAS-SURFACE INTERACTION

In the frame of the kinetic theory of gases, some scattering kernels f or gas-surface interaction are reviewed, and a new scattering kernel i s introduced. Comparisons with experimental data for the drag coeffici ent in hypersonic free-molecular flow are made. The data obtained by t he Gottingen group by means of rarefied gas wind tunnel experiments, a t stagnation temperatures of the gas of the same order of the target t emperature, are examined. Several other data regarding satellite condi tions of flight are also considered.