The MORABA sounding research rocket as a test bed for boundary-layer investigations at high speeds

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Christian Stemmer
• Subject Area: Fluid Mechanics
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 553275632

In cooperation with MORABA of the DLR and the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), we plan to use the MAPHEUS measurement campaign of MORABA on base of the VSB-30 sounding rocket as a flying test bed for high-speed boundary-layer research in the frontal cone section. MORABA will supply the flying platform and USQ will develop the instrumentation, the leasurement technique and data processing. The Technical University of Munich (TUM) will conduct high-fidelity and high-accuracy Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS) for several flight conditions. the boundary-layer parameters will be evaluated also for the three-dimensional case with small deviations of the angle of attack of the rocket from the nominal zero degree case. The location of the laminar-.turbulent transition on the cone section will be determined according to state-of-the-art transition criteria to supply information to the sensor placement. the surface irregularities (indentations for screws, edges, sockets, ...) will also be considered in their influence on the local flow conditions. Based on previously conducted research on roughnesses for the high-speed case, a specific roughness section on the cone will be designed which can be attached to the rocket surface. The influence of the roughness on wall temperature and pressure will be evaluated to align with the measurements. Numerical simulations are used to simulated the laminar-turbulent transition in the wake of the roughness with high resolution and high-accuracy. The simulations will supply three-dimensional unsteady flow information not attainable for the localized wall measurements. Data on the atmospherical disturbance level will be considered.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Australia
• Co-Investigator: Dr.-Ing. Rainer Kirchhartz
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr.-Ing. Ingo Jahn