Latest news with #aerospaceengineering
Globe and Mail
5 days ago
- Science
- Globe and Mail
Dr. Sergey Macheret Publishes New Blog on Microwave Discharge Plasmas in High-Speed Flight
The veteran physicist and aerospace engineer shares insights into the challenges and breakthroughs in microwave plasma applications for next-generation flight systems. Dr. Sergey Macheret, a leading expert in plasma science and aerospace engineering, has published a new personal blog article titled 'Microwave Discharge Plasmas: A Re-Emerging Tool for Aerodynamic Control and Propulsion'. The article explores emerging strategies to enhance aerodynamic control and propulsion efficiency in hypersonic and near-space environments using microwave-generated plasma. 'Microwave discharges offer a unique combination of non-intrusiveness, volumetric energy deposition, and adaptability to complex flight environments,' says Dr. Macheret. 'But operating them under high-speed, low-pressure conditions introduces new layers of complexity we're only beginning to fully understand.' Microwave discharges are being re-evaluated as a viable method to generate plasma for aircraft and spacecraft that travel at speeds exceeding Mach 8 and altitudes above 30 kilometers. These conditions produce thermochemically nonequilibrium flows, where conventional assumptions about plasma behavior no longer apply. Dr. Macheret's blog details how these discharges behave differently due to factors like non-Maxwellian electron energy distributions and long electron energy relaxation lengths. The blog also addresses key application areas: Flow Control: Pulsed microwave discharges could delay boundary layer separation or create virtual control surfaces. Propulsion Enhancement: In scramjets, microwave fields can aid flame ignition and accelerate flame propagation—even without full plasma breakdown. 'By heating the flame front selectively, even sub-breakdown microwave fields can significantly enhance combustion,' he explains. Dr. Macheret's work has helped shape modern plasma-assisted flight research. He has held research and leadership roles at institutions including Princeton University, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, and Purdue University. He currently serves as Co-Founder and CTO of US Plasma Engineering LLC. To read the full article, visit Contact: info@ Media Contact Contact Person: Sergey Macheret Email: Send Email Country: United States Website:
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The European Space Agency and Dassault Aviation paving the way for potential collaborations
PRESS RELEASE June 20, 2025 The European Space Agency and Dassault Aviation paving the way for potential collaborationsThe European Space Agency (ESA) has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Dassault Aviation, a French civilian and military aircraft manufacturer recognized worldwide for its excellence, underlying their common interest to develop a closer relationship. ESA, with its ambitious strategy for space exploration, Explore2040, is seeking innovative solutions for capabilities development to reach and return from Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Moon and Mars, and supports the advancement of selected critical enabling technologies to be used and demonstrated in particular in LEO, such as hypervelocity re-entry. Dassault Aviation, also a leader in aerospace engineering, is developing its space activities with a focus on the design of a reusable spaceplane based on lifting bodies shapes that bridge aeronautical and space technologies. Their interest in automated LEO platforms suitable for commercial and institutional markets, led them to develop a vehicle concept called 'Véhicule Orbital Réutilisable de Transport et d'Exploration (VORTEX)', designed for research in space, transport of cargo to and from space stations, and a range of in-orbit services. This project is based on a considerable expertise in spaceplanes having participated in numerous programmes like Hermes, NASA X-38 Crew Rescue vehicle, ESA Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) demonstrator, and Airborne Reusable Hypersonic Experimental Vehicle (VEHRA) concepts. 'Dassault Aviation's decades of expertise in aeronautical and space systems, perfectly position them to pioneer critical space technologies', said Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency. 'With VORTEX, Dassault is contributing to strengthening European capacities and securing sovereign access to space in a strongly growing and competitive space sector. We look forward to combining our expertise and working hand-in-hand for a stronger Europe in space.' 'Our Vortex roadmap aims to strengthen Europe's essential sovereign capabilities and meet the new challenges of the space economy. This letter of intent is a perfect recognition of the complementary expertise of the European Space Agency and Dassault Aviation in the development of critical technologies and innovative space solutions,' declared Eric Trappier, Chaiman and CEO of Dassault Aviation. As such, the signatories of the LoI, have identified a mutual interest in developing a closer relationship with the potential to commonly derisking critical technologies as well as to further explore the potential for collaboration in areas such as LEO destinations and particularly around orbital vehicules. As such, both foresee an interest to cooperate on a scaled down suborbital version of VORTEX, serving as a testbed, with a focus on, but not limited to: Designing, testing and qualifying key technologies and components. New materials and integration processes. Assessing the feasibility to include future payloads in case of the integration of a dedicated bay on the end-product. This joint work will be based on exchanging relevant information and conducting studies or preparatory activities, to help establish respective roles and responsibilities in the realisation of potential joint activities, leveraging on each side's capabilities. 'Europe benefits from a wide range of diverse and complementary skills. Enlarging the European industrial base is key for new opportunities arising in Space Exploration, aiming at more autonomy,' said Daniel Neuenschwander, Director of Human and Robotic Exploration at ESA. About the European Space Agency The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe's gateway to is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. ESA has 23 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia are Associate Members. ESA has established formal cooperation with other four Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement. By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on advancing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes as well as with Eumetsat for the development of meteorological missions. Learn more about ESA at Media contact: media@ About Dassault Aviation With over 10,000 military and civil aircraft delivered in more than 90 countries over the last century, Dassault Aviation has built up expertise recognized worldwide in the design, production, sale and support of all types of aircraft, ranging from the Rafale fighter, to the high-end Falcon family of business jets, military drones and space systems. In 2024, sales amounted to € 6.2 billion. Dassault Aviation has 14,600 employees. Dassault Aviation – PRESS CONTACTS Corporate Communications Stéphane Fort: +33 (0)1 47 11 86 90 - Mathieu Durand: +33 (0)1 47 11 85 88 - Export CommunicationsNathalie Bakhos Tel: +33 (0)1 47 11 84 12 Attachment PR_ESA Dassault VF 1Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
