What is it about?
The aerodynamic and aeroacoustic loads acting on the new European launcher VEGA-E were investigated through dedicated wind tunnel tests and numerical simulations performed over a wide range of Mach numbers, in order to cover the dense atmosphere flight trajectory from subsonic to supersonic conditions. The tests were performed on specifically designed models with all protrusions installed (wiring tunnels, RACS, retrorockets fairings). The wind tunnel experiments and the RANS CFD simulations carried out in wind tunnel conditions synergistically contribute to the aerodynamic database. Some significant examples are illustrated, in order to highlight the key flow features and to verify the fidelity of the comparison between numerical and experimental results. The focus of this work is the description of the peculiar flow characteristics, based on the measurement of forces, moments and static and fluctuating pressure distribution. The flow feature interpretation is also supported by flow visualizations using oil-flow and Schlieren techniques.
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This page is a summary of: Overview of the VEGA-E space launcher model aerodynamic and aeroacoustic environment, Aerospace Science and Technology, January 2026, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.ast.2025.110765.
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