Beyond Apollo: The interaction of radiation and ablation during Mars return

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This project aims to investigate how flow radiation and heat shield ablation products interact under the fastest hypersonic Earth entry conditions ever considered – Mars return. To survive the harsh conditions experienced during planetary entry, spacecraft rely on ablative heat shields burning away through processes which are still not fully understood. Using UQ’s unique X2 hypersonic wind tunnel to generate realistic flight conditions, the expected outcome of this project is an enhanced understanding of the complex ablation radiation coupling physics experienced during Mars return. This will bring humankind closer to travelling to and from Mars and increase our knowledge of these entries and the specialist materials needed to survive them.