Hypervelocity Materials Research Testbed

The characterization of novel thermal protection system materials is key to the mission success of future hypersonic vehicles. Non-intrusive methods, based on spectroscopic signatures, can provide information on the state of the TPS materials and the surrounding shock layer. However, the close coupling of the TPS material response with the high-temperature gas dynamics and finite-rate chemistry create a strong non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) environment that must be taken into account to properly interpret measurements. To date, no end-to-end simulation tool exists that connects the advanced material response, chemistry, gas flow, and particulates to the electro-optic infrared (EO/IR) signature. The goal of this R&D by Spectral Sciences, Inc. is to develop new simulation tools to relate material performance to EO/IR signatures. This effort will expand the Phase I proof-of-principle framework to include particulates created by material erosion, from birth at the material surface, through the high temperature shock, and beyond, providing the EO/IR signature of the particulate field. In addition, advanced models to predict the EO/IR surface emission, based on the local state, will be incorporated. The product will be transitioned to a software plug-in, which will enable users of existing high fidelity computational fluid dynamics software to leverage these capabilities.