Plume-Surface Interaction Physics Focused Ground Test 1: Setup and Preliminary Results
Juan S. Rubio, Matthew Gorman, Miguel X. Diaz-Lopez, Rui Ni
Abstract
View Video Presentation: https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2022-1809.vid Reliably predicting the landings on extraterrestrial bodies covered by different types of regolith requires validation experiments in controlled conditions. Such an experimental campaign is challenging because it involves a large parameter space to cover, including the ambient pressure, Mach number, plume-surface distance, and soil type with a known particle size distribution. In addition to these input parameters, the cratering behavior and ejecta dynamics need to be systematically measured. This article is the first part of a series to introduce the experimental setup and optical diagnostic systems in a 15-ft vacuum chamber at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. Experimental images displaying various cratering phenomena are presented and discussed in detail. These new findings and analysis will provide a better understanding of the plume-surface interaction problem and help develop predictive numerical tools for lander design and risk mitigation strategies.