Testing Deep Cratering Physics to Inform Plume Effects Modeling

Masten and researchers at the University of Central Florida (UCF) are modeling plume flow effects in simulated lunar and terrestrial environments to develop methods to scale between the two. This innovative work entails:Development of low cost ground testing methods and facilities to produce computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model validation cases for NASA and industry useSize and structure of craters on terrestrial test rig under hot rocket plume conditions.Characterization of lunar surface ejecta particles during rocket powered landings and ascents.Rate of mass ejection from scouring and deep cratersCharacteristics of ejecta leaving crater (speed, particle sizes, angles)Testing in low gravity, vacuum, and terrestrial conditions will be performed to determine cross calibration and scaling effects for plume effects modeling.Drop tower, ambient, and vacuum engine testsInvestigation of scaling in the transition from low thrust scouring to high thrust deep cratering effects and allow scaling of the physics to apply Earth tests to lunar cases.Determination of plume conditions define transition pointsDetermining an algorithm for use in CFD software to accurately model regolith plume effects.nbsp;Masten and UCF must develop higher-order correlations that capture the actual physics and reduce them to simple algorithms that can be coded in a VOF or similar approach. These scaling relationships have not yet been solved, and currently it is impossible to gain any assurance that a model is correct.Analyzing effects of different regolith simulant types and stratigraphies