Simulations of the near-wake flowfield behind three aerobrakes have been implemented with Program LAURA, an algorithm for obtaining the numerical solution to the governing equations for three-dimensional, viscous, hypersonic flows in chemical and thermal nonequilibrium. Emphasis is placed on understanding the conditions that are likely to cause the shear layer to impinge on a payload positioned behind the aerobrake. A linear relationship between shear-layer deflection angle and angle of attack (or lift-to-drag ratio) has been identified in several ground-based tests. A similar relation appears in the numerical simulations, though there is some evidence that deflection angles may increase somewhat due to the effects of gas chemistry. Shear-layer impingement can raise local heating levels a factor of 10 higher than levels present without impingement. Nomenclature CD = coefficient of drag CL = coefficient of lift D = base diameter, m H = total enthalpy, J/kg h = altitude, km L/D = lift-to-drag ratio M = Mach number Ne = electron number density, I/cm3 NReoo D = Reynolds number based on freestream conditions and base diameter NRe2 D = Reynolds number based on postnormal shock conditions and base diameter NReceH = Reynolds number based on mesh height and local sound speed p = pressure, N/m2 q = heating rate, W/cm2 RN = aerobrake nose radius, m RS = aerobrake shoulder radius, m T = translational-rotational temperature, K TV = vibrational-electronic temperature, K V = velocity, m/s x, y, z = aerobrake coordinates, in. a = angle of attack referenced to base plane normal, deg /3 = aerobrake cone angle, deg d = rake angle of base plane relative to cone axis, deg e = eccentricity of aerobrake nose 6 = shear-layer deflection angle referenced to base plane normal, deg p = density, kg/m3