Equilibrium of internal degrees of freedom of molecules and atoms in hypersonic flight in the upper atmosphere

This paper reviews the data available in the literature on processes of formation and quenching of electronically and vibrationally excited particles in partially dissociated air. The authors have determined the basic processes for formation and removal of excited particles which must be accounted for in calculating surface heat flux to space vehicles during entry into the upper atmosphere. For the vicinity of the stagnation point results are presented of numerical solution of the thin viscous shock layer equation, showing the influence of formation of excited particles on surface heat flux to a reusable space vehicle of the “Space Shuttle” type.