Aerospace Engineering

Aerothermodynamics and Propulsion

Aerothermodynamics is the precise and conservative forecast of the heating environment that an earth or planetary entry vehicle will encounter.

• The TPS is designed to survive the projected environment with risk acceptable margins.

• Aero thermal modeling is connected and interwoven with Thermal Protection System (TPS) design.

• In ablative systems, the flow field and TPS interact in a non-reversible way; the physics are coupled.

This area of study encompasses launcher and spaceship propulsion systems, as well as atmospheric ascent and re-entry. Chemical, electric, and sophisticated systems are all examples of propulsion technologies used to propel rockets and spacecraft. Aerothermodynamics is the study of how high-velocity gases behave, which is used to improve engine design and mimic the process of ascent and re-entry into the atmosphere. The fields of propulsion and aerothermodynamics are critical for maintaining and expanding our space gateway. To get a mission to where it needs to be, it involves great speed and precisely regulated thrust shooting. Landing on earth or other planets is equally difficult, especially because the high velocity that sent the spacecraft into space must be bled away to enable a safe landing. Chemical propulsion, which uses liquid propellants that are kept in a cooled liquid condition aboard the rocket or spacecraft fuel tank, remains state-of-the-art for the large thrust provided by current launch vehicles as well as on-orbit spacecraft operations. Solid rocket motors can be employed for 'kick' stages that place payloads into final orbits, while cold gas systems, which merely expel pressurized gas through a nozzle, are best suited to small spacecraft or low thrust applications. Electric propulsion systems, which use electrical energy to propel their fuel to high speeds, are becoming increasingly important in spaceflight. Electrostatic engines, in particular, are appreciated for their capacity to provide continuous thrust over long periods of time while using little amounts of fuel.