German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerodynamics and Flow Technology, Spacecraft Department
Aerodynamics and Flow from Launch to Re-entry
Research into space transportation is a central part of any space program. Developing new propulsion technologies for moving around space, understanding the impact of re-entering the earth’s atmosphere on spacecraft, and modelling the aerothermodynamics a spacecraft undergoes are essential in optimising current space missions, and designing the missions of the future.
At the German Aerospace Center (or DLR) – Germany’s national aeronautics and space research centre – the Spacecraft Department at the Institute of Aerodynamics and Flow Technology focuses on research and development of new technologies related to future, fully or partly reusable space transportation systems.
The department is working on the design and characterization of spacecraft across all space flight – from launch to re-entry and landing. Their work includes the aerothermodynamics of space launch vehicles and their propulsion systems, re-entry flows, hypersonic flight as well as chemical, electrical and hybrid small- and micro propulsion.
DLR’s ground-based test facilities are amongst the best in the world. They include: the High Enthalpy Shock Tunnel Göttingen, HEG; the vacuum facilities for chemical and electrical small- and micro thrusters, STG-CT, STG-ET; and a test bench for hybrid rocket engines. For all test facilities advanced and specialised diagnostics techniques are continuously developed and improved. In addition, DLR’s in-house numerical tool, DLR TAU-code, provides an interdisciplinary numerical platform that brings together this wide-ranging research.
Through this highly interdisciplinary collaboration between experimental and computational colleagues, the team are working on the long-term goal of developing a virtual spacecraft. By closely combining this advanced numerical platform with their unique experimental ability on the ground and in flight, the department aims to provide a comprehensive spacecraft design tool, modelling all fluid dynamics aspects of space flight - and providing the groundwork for spacecraft development for decades to come.