Periodic Reporting for period 2 - MEESST (MHD Enhanced Entry System for Space Transportation)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2022-04-01 al 2024-09-30
MEESST addresses critical challenges in spacecraft safety and sustainability during high-speed atmospheric (re-)entry, including extreme heat fluxes and communication blackouts. Traditional Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) are costly, reduce payload capacity and lack active solutions for communication issues, creating operational risks. As humanity advances toward interplanetary exploration, reusable and efficient solutions are crucial.
MEESST employs Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), modifying entry plasmas using EM fields to reduce heat flux and blackouts. Its centerpiece is a crycooled High-Temperature Superconductor (HTS) magnet prototype, a pioneering step toward reusable, cost-effective re-entry technologies. The key objectives include: extend and validate numerical models to predict and mitigate heat flux and blackout for air/CO2 plasmas under relevant re-entry conditions; design/deploy a cryocooled HTS magnet optimized for entry environments, forming the core of the MHD shielding system; heat flux and blackout measurements including MHD effects; cross-validate and integrate experimental findings with numerical models to ensure reliable predictions and applicability of MHD technologies; deliver a scalable MHD shielding prototype, paving the way for future commercialization.
Beyond re-entry applications, MEESST accelerates HTS technology adoption in space and related industries, enhancing Europe’s strategic autonomy. These advancements support reusable spacecraft systems for exploration, defense, and commercial markets. MEESST drives HTS commercialization, critical for emerging applications such as fusion energy, which require advanced HTS for economic viability. MEESST fosters economies of scale and cost reductions, expanding HTS readiness for extreme environments, advancing magnetic shielding technologies and introducing viable solutions to mitigate entry heating and blackouts. MEESST’s achievements, including the open source COMET and BORAT codes, and a first working prototype of a HTS probe, represent key milestones. These innovations promise applications beyond space, e.g. radar imaging, GPS navigation, MHD propulsion, and cosmic radiation protection. By integrating HTS technologies, MEESST could reduce heat flux by 40–80%, decreasing reliance on traditional TPS, cutting costs, and accelerating spacecraft design. This may increase mission frequency, enable earlier Mars missions, and transform space exploration. MEESST’s advancements lower mission costs and improve access to space for commercial/scientific purposes, driving economic growth in the EU and globally. Enabling manned Mars missions could address overpopulation and sustainability by opening new frontiers for human exploration/colonization. By establishing EU as a leader in re-entry and magnetic shielding technologies, MEESST enhances global competitiveness, supporting safer, cost-effective space missions, interplanetary exploration, clean energy, mobility, and climate monitoring. MEESST drives transformative change for science, industry, and society, fostering a robust ecosystem for future space endeavors.
MEESST employs Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), modifying entry plasmas using EM fields to reduce heat flux and blackouts. Its centerpiece is a crycooled High-Temperature Superconductor (HTS) magnet prototype, a pioneering step toward reusable, cost-effective re-entry technologies. The key objectives include: extend and validate numerical models to predict and mitigate heat flux and blackout for air/CO2 plasmas under relevant re-entry conditions; design/deploy a cryocooled HTS magnet optimized for entry environments, forming the core of the MHD shielding system; heat flux and blackout measurements including MHD effects; cross-validate and integrate experimental findings with numerical models to ensure reliable predictions and applicability of MHD technologies; deliver a scalable MHD shielding prototype, paving the way for future commercialization.
Beyond re-entry applications, MEESST accelerates HTS technology adoption in space and related industries, enhancing Europe’s strategic autonomy. These advancements support reusable spacecraft systems for exploration, defense, and commercial markets. MEESST drives HTS commercialization, critical for emerging applications such as fusion energy, which require advanced HTS for economic viability. MEESST fosters economies of scale and cost reductions, expanding HTS readiness for extreme environments, advancing magnetic shielding technologies and introducing viable solutions to mitigate entry heating and blackouts. MEESST’s achievements, including the open source COMET and BORAT codes, and a first working prototype of a HTS probe, represent key milestones. These innovations promise applications beyond space, e.g. radar imaging, GPS navigation, MHD propulsion, and cosmic radiation protection. By integrating HTS technologies, MEESST could reduce heat flux by 40–80%, decreasing reliance on traditional TPS, cutting costs, and accelerating spacecraft design. This may increase mission frequency, enable earlier Mars missions, and transform space exploration. MEESST’s advancements lower mission costs and improve access to space for commercial/scientific purposes, driving economic growth in the EU and globally. Enabling manned Mars missions could address overpopulation and sustainability by opening new frontiers for human exploration/colonization. By establishing EU as a leader in re-entry and magnetic shielding technologies, MEESST enhances global competitiveness, supporting safer, cost-effective space missions, interplanetary exploration, clean energy, mobility, and climate monitoring. MEESST drives transformative change for science, industry, and society, fostering a robust ecosystem for future space endeavors.
During the MEESST project significant progress has been made across all work packages (WP), delivering impactful results in technical development, dissemination, exploitation, and management.
A review of MHD-enabled technologies, numerical models, and experimental setups provided a solid foundation for project activities.
WP1: Numerical simulations with the consortium's codes advanced plasma modeling. In particular, COOLFluiD integrated magnetized plasma capabilities leading to the development of COolfluid for Mhd Entry (COMET) and HANSA optimized argon simulations. The enhanced BORAT software accurately predicted radio blackout under flight and experimental conditions.
WP2: Experiments at IRS PWK1 and VKI Plasmatron performed heat flux and blackout measurements, respectively, w/o and with magnet. Optical emission spectroscopy measured electron temperature and density, while Vector Network Analyzers provided insights into blackout mitigation. While mild MHD-driven mitigation effects on blackout have been shown, a considerable heat flux mitigation (up to 40% and 80% for Moon and inter-planetary return respectively) has been demonstrated for the first time.
WP3: Experiments at VKI and IRS have been partially validated with enhanced numerical tools, i.e. COMET(KUL) and SINA (IRS) for heat flux, BORAT (UL/KUL) for radio blackout, including mitigation effects due to MHD. While experiments without the magnet could be validated within error margins, experiments with the magnet could only be validated qualitatively for both heat flux and blackout mitigation.
WP4: The effects of radiation on MHD flows have been assessed and convincingly demonstrated for heat flux experiments with the HTS magnet, while only a preliminary analysis could be conducted for radio blackout due to lack of time and the late availability of required data.
WP5: KIT and THEVA developed a HTS magnet with five pancake coils, producing a 0.67T field at 50A using 900m of tape. Cooling requirements led to the design of a cryocooler and annular cryostat to handle plasma heat loads. AS took care of the final assembly/testing of the MHD experimental probe.
WP6: A robust strategy maximized MEESST’s visibility and prepared for long-term adoption. A professional website, logo, and multimedia materials have established MEESST’s identity. A project video explaining its mission was widely shared.
MEESST featured at major events like JAPCC and Space Mobility, fostering partnerships and engaging stakeholders. Contributions to leading journals and conferences have enhanced scientific credibility. Outreach to space agencies, commercial entities, and defense organizations facilitated collaboration and feedback. Exploitation efforts targeted commercialization by identifying applications, engaging end-users, and refining technology based on input.
A review of MHD-enabled technologies, numerical models, and experimental setups provided a solid foundation for project activities.
WP1: Numerical simulations with the consortium's codes advanced plasma modeling. In particular, COOLFluiD integrated magnetized plasma capabilities leading to the development of COolfluid for Mhd Entry (COMET) and HANSA optimized argon simulations. The enhanced BORAT software accurately predicted radio blackout under flight and experimental conditions.
WP2: Experiments at IRS PWK1 and VKI Plasmatron performed heat flux and blackout measurements, respectively, w/o and with magnet. Optical emission spectroscopy measured electron temperature and density, while Vector Network Analyzers provided insights into blackout mitigation. While mild MHD-driven mitigation effects on blackout have been shown, a considerable heat flux mitigation (up to 40% and 80% for Moon and inter-planetary return respectively) has been demonstrated for the first time.
WP3: Experiments at VKI and IRS have been partially validated with enhanced numerical tools, i.e. COMET(KUL) and SINA (IRS) for heat flux, BORAT (UL/KUL) for radio blackout, including mitigation effects due to MHD. While experiments without the magnet could be validated within error margins, experiments with the magnet could only be validated qualitatively for both heat flux and blackout mitigation.
WP4: The effects of radiation on MHD flows have been assessed and convincingly demonstrated for heat flux experiments with the HTS magnet, while only a preliminary analysis could be conducted for radio blackout due to lack of time and the late availability of required data.
WP5: KIT and THEVA developed a HTS magnet with five pancake coils, producing a 0.67T field at 50A using 900m of tape. Cooling requirements led to the design of a cryocooler and annular cryostat to handle plasma heat loads. AS took care of the final assembly/testing of the MHD experimental probe.
WP6: A robust strategy maximized MEESST’s visibility and prepared for long-term adoption. A professional website, logo, and multimedia materials have established MEESST’s identity. A project video explaining its mission was widely shared.
MEESST featured at major events like JAPCC and Space Mobility, fostering partnerships and engaging stakeholders. Contributions to leading journals and conferences have enhanced scientific credibility. Outreach to space agencies, commercial entities, and defense organizations facilitated collaboration and feedback. Exploitation efforts targeted commercialization by identifying applications, engaging end-users, and refining technology based on input.
MEESST pioneers magnetic shielding technologies, advancing our understanding of EM interactions with air and CO2 plasmas through innovative models and experiments. Key achievements include the BORAT code for predicting radio blackouts and the design of the first HTS probe for re-entry. By having demonstrated, for the first time, mitigation capabilities for heating and radio blackouts in relevant experimental re-entry conditions using a cryocooled HTS device, MEESST introduces magnetic shielding as a revolutionary solution for space travel and hypersonic systems. Its tools and insights offer applications in radar, GPS, MHD propulsion, and cosmic radiation protection. Such accomplishments demonstrate a great potential towards advancing MHD technologies, fostering innovation to benefit a wide range of space missions/operations involving entry, and establishing a foundation for commercialization and societal impact.
MEESST's advancements could reshape markets, fostering new businesses around game-changing magnetic shielding technologies. HTS systems could reduce heat flux by 40–80%, lowering costs and enabling faster spacecraft development. This may boost mission frequency, accelerate Mars exploration, and transform space activities including lunar colonization, spacebourne manufacturing/R&D and asteroid mining. MEESST strengthens Europe’s leadership in space innovation, driving economic growth and sustainability while paving the way for interplanetary exploration and human colonization.
MEESST's advancements could reshape markets, fostering new businesses around game-changing magnetic shielding technologies. HTS systems could reduce heat flux by 40–80%, lowering costs and enabling faster spacecraft development. This may boost mission frequency, accelerate Mars exploration, and transform space activities including lunar colonization, spacebourne manufacturing/R&D and asteroid mining. MEESST strengthens Europe’s leadership in space innovation, driving economic growth and sustainability while paving the way for interplanetary exploration and human colonization.