Multi-View X-Ray Diagnostics for Ejecta and Core Behavior in Plume-Surface Interactions

NASA’s propulsion and landing research facilities require high-speed, multi-view diagnostics to accurately characterize plume-surface interactions (PSI) in planetary landing environments. Current PSI measurement techniques struggle to resolve core ejecta and surface dynamics in optically dense flow regions, particularly during late-stage interactions where data is currently unavailable. The goal of the proposed work is to develop a flexible multi-view X-ray imaging system capable of high-speed, quantitative, spatio-temporally resolved measurements of the particle mass distribution and dynamics in relevant PSI flowfields.