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A summary of the activities performed over the last years at the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics in the frame of hypersonic boundary layer transition studies is presented. Free-stream noise levels have been determined in the H3 Mach 6 conventional wind tunnel using double hot-wires and modal analysis. In the Longshot wind tunnel at Mach 10, an improved free-stream characterization method, based on the use of free-stream static pressure probes, has been applied, alleviating the needs for the limiting adiabatic and isentropic nozzle flow assumptions. Based on these improved flow characterization, natural transition experiments have been performed in both wind tunnels on 7 • half-angle conical geometries at 0 • angle of attack and with different nosetip radii. Measurements techniques include either infrared thermography or flush-mounted fast response thermocouples in order to determine the transition onset location. Boundary layer instabilities are visualized using a LIF-based Schlieren technique at Mach 10, revealing rope-shape structures typical of the second mode disturbances. Wall measurements using fast-response pressure sensors complete the investigations. Dominant boundary layer disturbances at various locations along the cone are determined and compared with theoretical predictions. The corresponding N-factor is inferred for each wind tunnel. A comparison of the different measurement techniques is finally reported. Nomenclature Symbols c Specific heat, J/(kg.K)

Hypersonic boundary layer transition experiments are performed in the low-enthalpy Longshot wind tunnel with a free-stream Mach number ranging between 12 ≥ M∞ ≥ 9.5 and Reynolds number between 12 × 10 6 /m ≥ Reunit,∞ ≥ 3.3 × 10 6 /m. The model is an 800 mm long 7• half-angle cone with nosetip radii between 0.2 and 10 mm. Instrumentation includes flushmounted fast-response thermocouples and pressure sensors. Boundary layer transition onset location is determined from the wall heat flux distribution. Nose bluntness has a strong stabilizing effect. No transition reversal could be observed at RB = 10RN for a Reynolds number based on the nosetip radius of ReR N ,∞ = 123, 000. Increasing freestream unit Reynolds number results in larger Rex B ,e. Wavelet analysis of the boundary layer fluctuations shows that numerous wave packets are present during the transition process. Comparison with Linear Stability Theory results for second mode waves shows an excellent agreement for the most amplified frequencies. The N -factor of the wind-tunnel is 5 based on these computations and on the transition location measured experimentally. The convection velocity of the disturbances is closely approximated by the local boundary layer edge velocity for all conditions investigated. Schlieren flow visualization of the instabilities exhibits the typical rope shape of second mode disturbances for the sharpest nosetips. For nose bluntness larger than 4.75 mm, disturbances are mainly present at the edge of the boundary layer and within the inviscid shock layer. Their shape no longer presents the second mode typical structure although a frequency analysis of the disturbances is still compatible with second mode instabilities. Present results confirm the dominance of second mode waves in the transition process along a conical geometry for Mach numbers larger than 10.