Chinese scientists have discovered an alarming flaw in one of NASA’s main models for hypersonic aerodynamics.
In a recent research published in the Chinese academic journal Acta Aerodynamica Sinica, the Hypersonic Technology Laboratory of the National University of Defence Technology clarified the shortcomings of Vulcan-CFD. The study, led by Professor Liu Jun, emphasizes how crucial it is to correctly model high-speed chemical reactions and ablation, especially when aircraft velocities are higher than Mach 5. Failing to do so might significantly affect the advancement and security of vehicles traveling faster than light.
NASA’s Langley Research Center created the advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) program Vulcan-CFD, intended to model turbulent and compressible flows with finite-rate chemistry and thermodynamic non-equilibrium processes. Although it is helpful for engineering teams designing and analyzing hypersonic vehicles, aerospace engineers and researchers have other options.
Notwithstanding Vulcan-CFD’s sensitivity, NASA has published research papers clarifying its basic ideas and equations. Liu and his group assert that they have examined the software’s internal workings more thoroughly and have found possible weaknesses in its modeling skills.
If the claims made by the Chinese team are accurate, it may help to explain why the US hypersonic program appears to be moving more slowly than those of other countries. Recent occurrences highlight the difficulties of controlling tremendous heat and aerodynamics at high speeds, such as North Korea’s successful test of a hypersonic glide missile and the US Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon’s repeated failures.
The U.S. Congressional Budget Office has emphasized the need for substantial flight testing and materials research to address these issues. If Vulcan-CFD’s dependence is significant and the Chinese research results are legit, U.S. hypersonic research may need to realign to strategically catch up with international developments.