New high-temp materials for hypersonic vehicles

The development of new high-temperature materials for use in hypersonic vehicles receives a funding boost

The last decade has seen a resurgence in hypersonic vehicle development, driven by the desire to increase flight performance and reusability. Hypersonic refers to flight and aerodynamic phenomena that occur above Mach 5 – five times the speed of sound. However, several technological gaps remain in the development of novel, high-speed materials and structures, notably the variety of materials capable of withstanding extreme temperatures and extended flight times.

FUNDING MATERIAL INNOVATION

However, this could all be about to change with a $10 million funding boost from NASA delivered to Wichita State University’s (WSU) National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR). The funding will boost the centre’s research into the development, maturation and implementation of high-temperature advanced materials, including composites, for use in hot structures and thermal protection systems (TPS) in hypersonic vehicles.

In particular, NIAR and NASA are aiming to create high-fidelity data for these materials, which the two organisations view as a crucial step in the process of successfully integrating emerging materials into critical space applications. The materials developed during the project must be proven to perform in extremely challenging environments, while also being sustainable and demonstrating manufacturability.

“Our collaboration with NASA Aeronautics will continue to advance through the Hypersonics technology Project, focusing on sustaining hypersonic competency for national needs while advancing applied hypersonic research,” says John Tomblin, WSU senior vice president for industry and defence programmes and NIAR executive director.

THE RESEARCH PROGRAMME

NIAR’s project will involve procuring equipment focused on automated fabrication, processing and densification, characterisation, design and analysis, and testing refractory materials and structures. The programme will complement resources available through Wichita’s National Defense Prototype Center (NDPC), a collaboration between NIAR and aerospace manufacturer Spirit AeroSystems. The partnership provides a secure space for high-temperature materials testing, development, prototyping and industrialisation.

“NIAR plays an important role in the advancement of hypersonic capabilities,” adds Senator Jerry Moran, member of the Appropriations Committee on Commerce, Justice and Science, and who requested the programme funding from NASA on behalf of Wichita State. “Over the past several years, I have been working to grow NASA’s footprint in Kansas, including hosting the NASA Administrator and several NASA leaders in Wichita.”