Aerodynamics, propulsion and electrification group

ESA Plume-Regolith Interaction Facility

We host to the European Space Agency's plume-regolith interaction facility. With a total volume of over 70 m³ and capable of reaching vacuum levels as low as 0.8 Pa, this facility explores the fundamental physics behind crater formation resulting from jet impingement.

The ESA facility is equipped with high-speed shadow and schlieren photography, pressure measurements and PSP, PIV, and data acquisition systems.

Download the ESA Plume-Regolith Interaction Facility Brochure in pdf.

High-speed fluid dynamic testing facilities

We have some of the most advanced and modern high-speed experimental facilities for the analysis and understanding of compressible high-speed flows and their interactions. Our members not only use them but are also actively involved in their design and construction. These facilities include:

Indraft Trisonic Tunnel

• Test section 10 x 5 x 60cm (width x height x length)
• Mach number range M = 0.8 to 2.5
• Run time = 20 seconds

The wind tunnel is equipped with high-speed shadow and schlieren photography, pressure measurements and PSP, and PIV.

                                          

Shock Tube

• Test section 10 x 10 x 40cm (width x height x length)
• Mach number range M = 1.3 to 2.0
• Can use Air, He, Co2
• Run time = 5ms

The shock tube is equipped with high-speed shadow and schlieren photography, pressure measurements and PSP, and PIV.

                                          

Shock Tunnel

• Test section 60 x 60 x 100cm (width x height x length)
• Nozzle diameter = 15cm
• Mach number range M = 5 to 7
• Can use Air, He, Co2
• Run time = 10ms

The shock tunnel is equipped with high-speed shadow and schlieren photography, pressure measurements and PSP, and PIV.

                                          

Trisonic Tunnel

• Test section 15 x 21 x 48cm (width x height x length) 
• Mach number range M = 0.8 to 3

The trisonic wind tunnel is equipped with high-speed shadow and schlieren photography, pressure measurements and PSP, and PIV.

                                       

We also design and develop flow control effectors such as synthetic jets, single dielectric barrier discharge and multiple encapsulated electrode plasma actuators, oscillating surfaces, vortex generators, and various other active and passive flow control devices.