Aerodynamic corridor or why shoot in front of a rocket

Problem: extreme thermal load on the launch vehicle (LV) during its launch into space. Manifests itself in the form of high temperatures due to friction with the atmosphere during takeoff and during flight through dense layers of the atmosphere.

The implemented solution today: development and application of new materials to protect the rocket from overheating and subsequent damage.

Unaccounted for opportunity: work with reason (dense layers of the atmosphere that we fly through at high speed), and not only with its consequence (thermal effects).

Spoiler: Let us apply the experience of athletes involved in diving from great heights.

About diving

Jumping into water from a significant height (for example, from a high cliff) is associated with great risk, because the speed of the body before contact can reach tens of meters per second. Taking into account the surface tension of water, the moment of entry will be comparable to hitting a hard surface, which means that there will be at least a high probability of serious injury. However, many have observed how an athlete, before taking the decisive step, throws a stone, which creates a special temporary “corridor”, reducing the resistance of the water in a small area. Thus, the impact of the body entering the water is minimized.

How can this be applied when removing RN?

A similar principle can be used for rockets. In this case, the “corridor” concept involves creating a path with less resistance for launching a missile. This can be critical to managing thermal loads and ensuring the safety of a technical product during passage through the dense layers of the atmosphere.

Ways of implementation:

1. A shot in front of the launching rocket, which, like a stone thrown into water, will reduce the thermal shock before entering the dense layers of the atmosphere at high speed;

2. Use of a high power laser before launching the launch vehicle;

3. A spire that can be installed on the head fairing of a rocket (for example, with an activator made of elements that generate a high-frequency electrical discharge).

It can be assumed that the latter option (a spire or a structural element of a similar purpose) located in front of the rocket and activating the plasma corridor in front of it will contribute to more effective protection from thermal load. It can provide protection by creating a “plasma radome” effect that will interact with the atmosphere to protect the physical shell of the product. Thus, the use of such an effect at the initial stage of flight can actually contribute to more effective thermal protection and create more favorable conditions for controlling the aerodynamics of the rocket.

Notes

The technical and aerodynamic aspects of the proposed approaches represent tasks that require detailed research. However, this approach may have the potential to reduce aerodynamic loads and thermal impact on the rocket during launch. Therefore, this concept can become the object of research and development in the field of space technology and aerodynamics.

PS: the development of new heat-resistant materials itself requires significant technical and financial resources, and the process of their creation is complex and lengthy. In addition, the use of new materials requires modernization of production processes and technologies, which also leads to costs. There is a balance between the benefits that new high-temperature materials can offer and the disadvantages associated with their development and implementation. In this context, looking from a new perspective is advisable and should take place.

This new look belongs to my husband – at that time the leading engineer. I share with his permission.