Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Magnetohydrodynamic Effects on Radiative Heating During Superorbital Earth Reentry

What is it about?

Radiative heat flux can potentially increase when using magnetohydrodynamic aerobraking during Mars return Earth re-entry trajectories. We numerically predict radiative heat flux for the first time in the context of Mars return re-entry and of MHD aerobraking. It is found that radiative heat flux increases significantly when applying a magnetic field on the ionized shock layer surrounding the test model. Experimental measurements are also attempted but do not provide firm conclusions, and subsequent recommendations are given for future attempts at such experimental measurements.

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