Experimental Characterization of Magnetohydrodynamic Effects in Planetary Entry Plasmas

The objective of the proposed research is to provide foundational experimental data on the behavior of high-speed plasma flows such as those experienced during planetary entry in the presence of applied magnetic fields and the characterization of resultant forces with the goal of advancing low TRL technologies to enable more capable, cost-effective planetary exploration missions. Hypersonic flow regimes and the development of low TRL technologies related to them are highly relevant to NASA, being classified as a high priority area of research under the 2022 Space Technology Mission Directorate Strategic Framework LAND: Entry, Descent, and Landing to Enable Planetary Science Missions. The framework specifically calls for the development of planetary aerothermal test facilities and the development of technologies to optimize thermal protection systems (TPS). The extreme aerothermal environment that defines hypersonic flight creates the conditions for significant dissociation and ionization of atmospheric gases. These ions and free electrons then constitute a conductive fluid which, when in the presence of a magnetic field, will produce a current and associated magnetic field due to the Lorentz force. Leveraging of these magnetohydrodynamic interactions by novel technologies could expand capabilities of current TPS schemes, including the system planned for the high-priority Uranus Orbiter and Probe flagship mission. However, reliable experimental data on these magnetohydrodynamic interactions in planetary entry relevant plasma flows is extremely limited. This research will provide high quality, well-validated results utilizing a new inductively coupled plasma wind tunnel facility in the Magnetoaerodynamics and Aerospace Plasmas Laboratory at the University of Colorado Boulder. Significant time will be spent on characterization experiments on the unperturbed freestream plasma to build a solid foundational baseline upon which to proceed to more advanced stages. Various configurations of both internal and external magnetic fields will be applied to the flow and analyzed. The results of this research will enhance our understanding of magnetohydrodynamic interactions in hypersonic plasma flows, and will directly contribute to the development of innovative technologies that will augment the performance capabilities of missions to other worlds.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — 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.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.