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Completed TRL 6 (started at 2, targeting 6)
Plume-surface interaction (PSI) describes the lander environment due to the impingement of hot rocket exhaust on regolith of planetary bodies. This environment is characterized by the plume flow physics, erosion physics and ejecta dynamics. The PSI Project will provide tools and data to predict the environments that enable smart design and risk analysis of EDL architectures driven by PSI. With this work, NASA will be able to predict landing environments and develop mitigating strategies.
Develops an integrated modeling, simulation, instrumentation capability, and testing approach to Plume Surface Interaction (PSI) definition in the areas of: plume flow physics, erosion physics, and ejecta dynamics.
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
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