When: Sep 05 2019 @ 3:00 PM
Where: 205 Krieger Hall
205 Krieger Hall

Rocket Plume Interactions for NASA Launch Vehicles and Landing Systems

Presented by Dr. Manish Mehta
NASA George C. Marshall Space Flight Center
NASA is preparing to send larger payloads, some up to human-class, to the moon and Mars, in the next decade. Heavier landers and more powerful launch vehicles are currently being developed, such higher thrust rocket engine plumes will lead to much harsher environments. These environments if not accurately predicted could lead to mission failure and loss of crew. The challenges of predicting plume physics on launch vehicles and landing systems, and their surrounding area, are significant. This discussion will focus on a high-level description of the plume physics and their technical challenges for launch vehicles, particularly the Space Launch System, and landing systems. Will discuss the technical gaps and what is needed to mitigate and improve the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) within this discipline.
Dr. Manish Mehta is a subject matter expert in aerothermodynamics and rocket plume flow physics and has been working in this discipline for the last 15 years. He is a technical staff member within the Aerosciences Branch at NASA George C. Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL.