CFD Analysis of Rocket Plume Effects on Ejection Seat Aerodynamics

Existing technology for the 3D CFD analysis of rocket plume/aerodynamic interactions will be specialized to the ejection seat problem. Present technology includes a 3D Navier-Stokes code, CRAFT, with detailed plume thermochemistry and multiphase flow and with turbulence models specialized to the complex plume environment. A struc- tured version with advanced Roe/TVD finite-volume numerics is operational at sev- eral government facilities (MICOM, NSWC, ARL) in support of plume/aerodynamic in- teractive problems. New unstructured and hybrid versions for complex multi-body problems (stage separation, launcher interactions, etc.) are operational with further development underway. Task 1 will demonstrate the applicability of pres- ent technology to rocket plume/ejection seat aerodynamics, including the performance of "scope-out" computational studies focussing on areas of most uncertainty (e.g. transient turbulence modeling/vortex shedding).