Wind tunnels are great, but there’s nothing like a flight test to learn about the aerodynamics of a new vehicle. Today in 1977, the space shuttle prototype Enterprise flew on its own for the first time. Enterprise was built purely to test the shuttle’s aerodynamic behavior during gliding and landing. Check out this video of one of Enterprise’s gliding and landing tests.
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Automotive Wind Tunnels
Wind tunnels have been a staple of aerodynamics since the Wright brothers built one to help them test wing shapes for their gliders and airplanes. The GM Aerodynamics Laboratory’s much larger wind tunnel, pictured above, tests full-sized vehicles’ aerodynamics. It is the largest automotive wind tunnel and has been in operation since August 1980. GM estimates that it has cut the coefficient of drag on vehicles by approximately 25% in that time. The tunnel can reach speeds near 125 mph, as one hapless reporter discovered firsthand. (Submitted by @Vinnchan)
