Chapter 16
Uncertainty Treatment Applications:
High-Enthalpy Flow Ground Testing
Anabel del Val, Olivier Chazot, and Thierry Magin
Mach number is like aborigine counting: one, two, three, four,
many. Once you reach many, the flow is hypersonic.
H. K. Beckmann
Abstract In this chapter, the operating principles of two major types of highenthalpy facilities are reviewed. Both groups of facilities are complementary to
reproduce high-speed flows and high thermal loads. The description focuses on the
main elements and basic functioning of these wind tunnels, as well as the measurement techniques involved, including an analysis of experimental uncertainties.
The physico-chemical models are then introduced and explained in detail giving an
account of the complexities facing uncertainty quantification methods applied to this
particular system. Computational tools to simulate flow conditions in inductivelycoupled plasma facilities are described in detail providing mesh examples of the
different fields involved. Finally, conclusions and remarks concerning uncertainty
quantification challenges for atmospheric entry flows are discussed with special
emphasis on the multi-physics and high-dimensionality aspects of the system. A
recount on the state of the art on safety margins is given as well.
Keywords High-enthalpy flows · Uncertainty quantification · Atmospheric
entry · Ground testing
16.1 Atmospheric Entry: A Complex Problem
After the successful crewed missions to the Moon and many probe entries into
the atmosphere of outer planets, the next challenges of space exploration include
bringing samples back to Earth by means of robotic missions, as well as continuing
A. del Val () · O. Chazot · T. Magin
von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Rhode-St-Genèse, Belgium
e-mail: delvalbeni@vki.ac.be; chazot@vki.ac.be; magin@vki.ac.be
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
M. Vasile (ed.), Optimization Under Uncertainty with Applications to Aerospace
Engineering, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60166-9_16
507
Uncertainty Treatment Applications:
High-Enthalpy Flow Ground Testing
Anabel del Val, Olivier Chazot, and Thierry Magin
Mach number is like aborigine counting: one, two, three, four,
many. Once you reach many, the flow is hypersonic.
H. K. Beckmann
Abstract In this chapter, the operating principles of two major types of highenthalpy facilities are reviewed. Both groups of facilities are complementary to
reproduce high-speed flows and high thermal loads. The description focuses on the
main elements and basic functioning of these wind tunnels, as well as the measurement techniques involved, including an analysis of experimental uncertainties.
The physico-chemical models are then introduced and explained in detail giving an
account of the complexities facing uncertainty quantification methods applied to this
particular system. Computational tools to simulate flow conditions in inductivelycoupled plasma facilities are described in detail providing mesh examples of the
different fields involved. Finally, conclusions and remarks concerning uncertainty
quantification challenges for atmospheric entry flows are discussed with special
emphasis on the multi-physics and high-dimensionality aspects of the system. A
recount on the state of the art on safety margins is given as well.
Keywords High-enthalpy flows · Uncertainty quantification · Atmospheric
entry · Ground testing
16.1 Atmospheric Entry: A Complex Problem
After the successful crewed missions to the Moon and many probe entries into
the atmosphere of outer planets, the next challenges of space exploration include
bringing samples back to Earth by means of robotic missions, as well as continuing
A. del Val () · O. Chazot · T. Magin
von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Rhode-St-Genèse, Belgium
e-mail: delvalbeni@vki.ac.be; chazot@vki.ac.be; magin@vki.ac.be
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
M. Vasile (ed.), Optimization Under Uncertainty with Applications to Aerospace
Engineering, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60166-9_16
507