School: School of Engineering and Information Technology

Scientia Project Summary:

Mars entry is interesting to both those designing planetary missions and to those studying the formation of the solar system. Martian entry results in extreme aerothermodynamic loads, which can result in breakup. This project will extend our abilities to study these complex multiphysics phenomena. The Martian atmosphere is predominantly CO2, challenging the laser-based diagnostics used in hypersonic wind tunnels, which have been designed for air flows. This project will develop a new method using PLIF for measurements in CO2. The break up will also be visualised using high-speed resonantly-enhanced shearing interferometry, and compared with simulations of the fluid-structural interactions occurring.

School

School of Science