Professor Richard Morgan
Professor

Richard Morgan

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 53668

Background

Prof Morgan was the Director of the Centre for Hypersonics since its inception in 1997 until October 2021. He lectures in mechanical and aerospace engineering within the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering.

He has a strong research record in the development of hypervelocity impulsive facilities on which the UQ Centre for Hypersonics research program is based, including the ‘X’ series of super-orbital expansion tubes, and has extensive experience in hypersonic aero-thermo-dynamics and scramjet propulsion.

Richard Morgan has been developing superorbital ground based facilities for many years, and has collaborative research program with DSTG, NASA, ESA, Oxford University, Ecole Centrale (Paris) and AOARD in radiating flows, as well as continuing ARC support in this area since 1990, including two current ARC Discovery grants in partnership with European and American partners.

He was involved as a flight team member in the 2010 airborne observation of the Japanese ‘Hayabusa’ asteroid sample return mission, for which he was a co-recipient of the NASA Ames ‘honour’ award for 2010. He regularly gives invited talks in international meetings, and gave a plenary presentation to the AIAA Hypersonic Spaceplanes Conference in San Francisco in April 2011.

Professor Richard Morgan was awarded a 2012 UQ Excellence in Research Higher Degree Supervision award for encouraging student development through international student exchanges with overseas collaborators, whilst engendering internal cooperation within the study body.

Availability

Professor Richard Morgan is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Engineering

Search Professor Richard Morgan’s works on UQ eSpace

329 works between 1982 and 2025
All (329) Journal Article (97) Book Chapter (5) Conference Publication (225) Other Outputs (1) Edited Outputs (1)

21 - 40 of 329 works

2020

Journal Article

Generating High-Speed Earth Reentry Test Conditions in an Expansion Tube

James, Christopher M., Lewis, Steven W., Morgan, Richard G., Liu, Yu and Lefevre, Alexis (2020). Generating High-Speed Earth Reentry Test Conditions in an Expansion Tube. Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 58 (2), 1-18. doi: 10.2514/1.a34821

Generating High-Speed Earth Reentry Test Conditions in an Expansion Tube

2020

Conference Publication

Using aerothermodynamic similarity to experimentally study nonequilibrium giant planet entry

Liu, Yu, James, Christopher M., Morgan, Richard G. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2020). Using aerothermodynamic similarity to experimentally study nonequilibrium giant planet entry. Joint Thermophysics and Heat Transfer Conference, Atlanta, GA, United States, 25-29 June 2018. Reston, VA, United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/1.a34713

Using aerothermodynamic similarity to experimentally study nonequilibrium giant planet entry

2020

Journal Article

Experimental validation of a test gas substitution for simulating non-equilibrium giant planet entry conditions in impulse facilities

Liu, Yu, James, Christopher M., Morgan, Richard G. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2020). Experimental validation of a test gas substitution for simulating non-equilibrium giant planet entry conditions in impulse facilities. Experiments in Fluids, 61 (9) 198. doi: 10.1007/s00348-020-03032-3

Experimental validation of a test gas substitution for simulating non-equilibrium giant planet entry conditions in impulse facilities

2020

Journal Article

Single-shot temperature measurements in a scramjet combustor using thermally assisted laser-induced fluorescence

Sopek, Tamara, Brieschenk, Stefan, Vanyai, Tristan, Morgan, Richard G. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2020). Single-shot temperature measurements in a scramjet combustor using thermally assisted laser-induced fluorescence. AIAA Journal, 58 (8), 3486-3498. doi: 10.2514/1.j058985

Single-shot temperature measurements in a scramjet combustor using thermally assisted laser-induced fluorescence

2020

Journal Article

Using optically filtered high-speed imaging to characterise expansion tube operating conditions

James, C. M., Smith, D. R., McLean, C., Morgan, R. G., Lewis, S. W., Toniato, P., Wei, H. and McIntyre, T. J. (2020). Using optically filtered high-speed imaging to characterise expansion tube operating conditions. Shock Waves, 30 (5), 523-544. doi: 10.1007/s00193-020-00948-x

Using optically filtered high-speed imaging to characterise expansion tube operating conditions

2020

Journal Article

Experimentally Simulating Giant Planet Entry in an Expansion Tube

James, Christopher M., Gildfind, David E., Morgan, Richard G., Lewis, Steven W. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2020). Experimentally Simulating Giant Planet Entry in an Expansion Tube. Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 57 (4), 1-16. doi: 10.2514/1.a34457

Experimentally Simulating Giant Planet Entry in an Expansion Tube

2020

Conference Publication

The X3R Free-Piston Reflected Shock Tunnel: Australia's New Large-Scale, Long-Duration Hypersonic Testing Capability

Stennett, Samuel J., Gildfind, David, Jacobs, Peter, Morgan, Richard, James, Christopher and Toniato, Pierpaolo (2020). The X3R Free-Piston Reflected Shock Tunnel: Australia's New Large-Scale, Long-Duration Hypersonic Testing Capability. 23rd AIAA International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference, Montreal, Canada , March 10-12, 2020. Reston, VA United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2020-2447

The X3R Free-Piston Reflected Shock Tunnel: Australia's New Large-Scale, Long-Duration Hypersonic Testing Capability

2020

Journal Article

Correction: Spectrally filtered imaging and vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy of preheated models in x2 (AIAA Journal, (2017), 55, 12, (4167-4180), 10.2514/1.J056021)

Sheikh, Umar A., Wei, Han, Lewis, Steven W., James, Christopher M., Leyland, Pénélope, Morgan, Richard G. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2020). Correction: Spectrally filtered imaging and vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy of preheated models in x2 (AIAA Journal, (2017), 55, 12, (4167-4180), 10.2514/1.J056021). AIAA Journal, 58 (11), AU2-AU2. doi: 10.2514/1.J056021.c1

Correction: Spectrally filtered imaging and vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy of preheated models in x2 (AIAA Journal, (2017), 55, 12, (4167-4180), 10.2514/1.J056021)

2020

Conference Publication

Development of a fast-response diamond calorimeter heat transfer gauge

Geraets, Rowland T. Penty, McGilvray, Matthew, Doherty, Luke J., Morgan, Richard G., James, Christopher M. and Buttsworth, David R. (2020). Development of a fast-response diamond calorimeter heat transfer gauge. 33rd AIAA Aerodynamic Measurement Technology and Ground Testing Conference, Denver, CO USA, 5-9 June 2017. Reston, VA United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/1.t5688

Development of a fast-response diamond calorimeter heat transfer gauge

2020

Conference Publication

Infrared thermography in expansion tubes for Martian entry flows

Ramesh, Ranjini, Morgan, Richard, Ravichandran, Ranjith and Mee, David (2020). Infrared thermography in expansion tubes for Martian entry flows. AIAA International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference, Montréal, Québec, Canada, 10-12 March 2020. Reston, Virginia: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2020-2415

Infrared thermography in expansion tubes for Martian entry flows

2020

Journal Article

Iron contamination in high-enthalpy test facilities: OH PLIF imaging considerations

Sopek, Tamara, Brieschenk, Stefan, Vanyai, Tristan, Morgan, Richard G. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2020). Iron contamination in high-enthalpy test facilities: OH PLIF imaging considerations. Journal of Propulsion and Power, 36 (1), 129-137. doi: 10.2514/1.B37676

Iron contamination in high-enthalpy test facilities: OH PLIF imaging considerations

2020

Conference Publication

Simulating Uranus Entry in an Expansion Tube

James, Christopher M., Liu, Yu and Morgan, Richard (2020). Simulating Uranus Entry in an Expansion Tube. AIAA AVIATION 2020 FORUM , Virtual Event, 15-19 June 2020. Reston, VA United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2020-3110

Simulating Uranus Entry in an Expansion Tube

2020

Conference Publication

Scaled Apollo Heating Testing in a Large Expansion Tube

James, Christopher M., Ravichandran, Ranjith, Smith, Daniel R., Cullen, Timothy G. and Morgan, Richard (2020). Scaled Apollo Heating Testing in a Large Expansion Tube. AIAA AVIATION 2020 FORUM , Virtual Event, 15-19 June 2020. Reston, VA United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2020-3278

Scaled Apollo Heating Testing in a Large Expansion Tube

2019

Journal Article

Expansion tube nozzle design using a parallel simplex algorithm

Toniato, P., Gildfind, D. E., Jacobs, P. A. and Morgan, R. G. (2019). Expansion tube nozzle design using a parallel simplex algorithm. Shock Waves, 30 (2), 185-199. doi: 10.1007/s00193-019-00930-2

Expansion tube nozzle design using a parallel simplex algorithm

2019

Conference Publication

Testing of ultra fast response, durable co-axial thermocouples for high enthalpy impulse facilities

James, Christopher M., Birch, Byrenn, Smith, Daniel R., Cullen, Timothy G., Millard, Theodore, Vella, Samuel, Liu, Yu, Morgan, Richard G., Stern, Nathan and Buttsworth, David (2019). Testing of ultra fast response, durable co-axial thermocouples for high enthalpy impulse facilities. AIAA Aviation 2019 Forum, Dallas, TX USA, 17-21 June 2019. Reston, VA USA: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2019-3007

Testing of ultra fast response, durable co-axial thermocouples for high enthalpy impulse facilities

2019

Journal Article

Filtered image thermography for high temperatures in hypersonic preheated ablation experiments

Ravichandran, Ranjith, Buttsworth, David R., Lewis, Steven W., Morgan, Richard G. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2019). Filtered image thermography for high temperatures in hypersonic preheated ablation experiments. Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer, 33 (4), 1074-1084. doi: 10.2514/1.T5629

Filtered image thermography for high temperatures in hypersonic preheated ablation experiments

2019

Journal Article

Rapid prototyping for hypervelocity impulse facility test models

Apirana, Steven F. T., James, Christopher M., Eldridge, Robert, Morgan, Richard G. and Lewis, Steven W. (2019). Rapid prototyping for hypervelocity impulse facility test models. Aerospace Science and Technology, 88, 174-184. doi: 10.1016/j.ast.2019.03.024

Rapid prototyping for hypervelocity impulse facility test models

2019

Journal Article

Simulating gas giant atmospheric entry using helium and neon test gas substitutions

James, Christopher M., Gildfind, David E., Morgan, Richard G., Lewis, Steven W. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2019). Simulating gas giant atmospheric entry using helium and neon test gas substitutions. Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 56 (3), 725-743. doi: 10.2514/1.a34282

Simulating gas giant atmospheric entry using helium and neon test gas substitutions

2019

Conference Publication

Development of a total enthalpy and Reynolds number matched Apollo re-entry condition in the X2 expansion tunnel

Cullen, T. G., James, C. M., Gollan, R. J. and Morgan, R. G. (2019). Development of a total enthalpy and Reynolds number matched Apollo re-entry condition in the X2 expansion tunnel. 31st International Symposium on Shock Waves, Nagoya, Japan, 9-14 July 2017. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-91017-8_24

Development of a total enthalpy and Reynolds number matched Apollo re-entry condition in the X2 expansion tunnel

2019

Conference Publication

Multidimensional effects and self- absorption on spectroscopic observations of Saturn entry radiation

Liu, Yu, Toniato, Pierpaolo, James, Chris, Morgan, Richard and McIntyre, T.J. (2019). Multidimensional effects and self- absorption on spectroscopic observations of Saturn entry radiation. 11th Asia-Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology, Gold Coast, Australia, 4-6 December 2019. Gold Coast, Australia: Engineers Australia.

Multidimensional effects and self- absorption on spectroscopic observations of Saturn entry radiation

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    Hypervelocity Heat flux Measurements
    Queensland Bavaria Collaborative Research Program - Seed Grant
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Advancing the Science of Giant Planet Atmospheric Entry
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024
    Radiation reconstruction for ExoMars capsule flowfield
    AEDS Sarl
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Non-equilibrium reacting shock layers
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Electron Transpiration Cooling of Hypersonic Vehicles
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Study of Non-Equilibrium Wakes Model
    United States Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Optical Equipment for Advanced Thermofluid Measurements
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2024
    Hypersonic Science and Enabling Technologies - General Support
    Commonwealth Defence Science and Technology Group
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Experimental Studies of High-Speed Flows
    National University of Singapore Research Collaboration Agreement
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Development of flow conditions and heated hardware for X3R
    Commonwealth Defence Science and Technology Group
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Turbulent heat transfer during Mars Venus and Earth atmospheric entry
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Rapidly expanding non equilibrium hypersonic flow
    United States Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Hydrocarbon fuel technology for hypersonic air breathing vehicles
    Cooperative Research Centre Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Stage 2 Development of X3R, an advanced Scramjet testing Shock Tunnel
    Commonwealth Defence Science and Technology Group
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Optical diagnostics for the investigation of high-speed energetic processes (ARC LIEF project administered by The University of New South Wales)
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Radiation and Ablation in Rapidly Expanding Flows
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Development of X3R, an advanced Scramjet testing Shock Tunnel
    Commonwealth Department of Defence Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Hypersonic Driver - NWTF Project
    University of Oxford
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Experimental Analysis of High Speed Earth Re-entry
    Go8 Australia - Germany Joint Research Co-operation Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    The science of scramjet propulsion
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Ablative thermal protection systems
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Infrastructure for hypersonic laboratories
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Hypervelocity re-entry
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Radiation measurements in simulated ablation layers
    United States Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Ensuring a world-class hypersonic shock tunnel for maintaining world-leading hypersonic R&D
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Instrumentation Facility for Hypersonic Heat Transfer Measurements
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Radiating hypersonic flows
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2008
    Mach 10 Hydrogen fuelled scramjet development
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2004
    Mach 10 Scramjet Flight Thrust Measurements - An extension to the HyShot Flight Program
    United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2004
    Development of large scale expansion tubes
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2004
    Upgrading of hypersonics facilities
    Systemic Infrastucture Iniative
    Open grant
  • 2001
    X2 Expansion Tube Testing
    California Institute of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2002
    Calibration and performance optimisation of superorbital expansion tubes
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2001
    Blunt Body Aerodynamics in Superorbital Flows
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2001
    Conversion of RHYFL shock tunnel to an expansion tube
    ARC Collaborative Grant (SPIRT)
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2001
    Conversion of RHYFL shock tunnel to an expansion tube
    WBM Consulting Engineers
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2001
    Shock-Boundary Layer Interactions and Separation in Super Orbital Flows
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Ablation measurement in spacecraft re-entry heat shields
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Simulation of Interplanetary Aerodynamics
    ARC Investigators - International Links
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Study of Superorbital Ionising Flows
    ARC Investigators - International Links
    Open grant
  • 1997
    Ablation measurement in spacecraft re-entry heat shields
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1997 - 1999
    Commissioning the superorbital expansion tube
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1996
    Collaboration with Japan on the proposed "Nereus" space mission
    DIST Bilateral Science & Technology Collab.Program
    Open grant
  • 1996
    Driver Optimisation for Super Orbital Flight Simulation
    DIST Bilateral Science & Technology Collab.Program
    Open grant
  • 1996
    Optical imaging for multi-parameter diagnostics in super orbital facilities
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 1996 - 1997
    Studies of the Unsteady Expansion in Expansion Tubes
    United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Richard Morgan is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Testing of inflatable reentry heat shields

  • Study of aerocapture maneuvers

    Aerocapture is a means of transferring a spacecraft from a hyperbolic to a captive orbit by means of hypervelocity aerodynamic maneuvers. They have great potential to increase the scope of space missions, but have never been tried to date. This project follows on from an initial 2003 study to do an experimental (in X3) and theoretical evaluation of candidate vehicle shapes.

  • Multistage rocket design

    Composite rocket modules developed at UQ will be ready for flight testing in 2004, and are expected to reach speeds of about Mach 3. Future applications anticipate using these modules in a multistaged configuration, and reaching hypersonic speeds. This project involves the design of a multistaged rocket, and the analysis of its expected performance

  • Mars gravity soft landing system

    Involves the design, construction and testing of a full scale impact attenuation system to protect the Mars gravity payload of 15 mice when they land at Woomera. Suitable for group thesis or design project (Mech 4552).

  • Mars gravity entry subsystem

    Involves dynamic and thermal analysis of the Mars Gravity reentry capsule. Suitable for group thesis or design project (Mech 4552). May be split into 2 individual projects.

  • Mars Gravity descent subsystem

    Involves the design, construction and testing of a mortar system for deploying the drogue parachute of the Mars gravity return capsule.

  • Expansion tube performance enhancement

    Expansion tubes use a cascade of shock tubes in series to improve performance over conventional shock tunnels. In general, for 'low' speed applications (less than about 8 km/sec), two tubular sections are optimum.

    However, due to certain restrictions on the operating conditions which are useable, there may be situations where three tubes are better at lower speeds. This thesis invovles a theoretical and experiemntal investigation

    of this effect.

  • Development of improved rupture diaphragms for X3

  • Design, construction and flight testing of Mach 2 ramjet

    Involves the design and construction of all components of a liquid fuel ramjet. Follow on from 2003 flight test at Woomera, October 2003. To be used as project/example material in M&S course work including Aerospace Propulsion, Hypersonics, CFD, Space Enginerring and design. Suitable for group thesis or design project (Mech 4552). Dependent on budget support from School of Engineering.

  • Design, construction and flight testing of Mach 2 pulse detonation wave engine (PDE)

    Involves the design and construction of all components of a PDE. Follow on from 2003 flight test at Woomera (postponed), October 2003. To be used as project/example material in M&S course work including Aerospace Propulsion, Hypersonics, CFD, Space Enginerring and design. Suitable for group thesis or design project (Mech 4552). Dependent on budget support from School of Engineering

  • Design of flight version of a Hybrid rocket

    In 2003, a static hybrid rocket was built and tested by a 4th year M&S student. The project will be extended in 2004 to the development of a flight version of the rocket, with the objective of testing at Woomera in 2005. This project could be run as group design (Mech4552) or a group thesis project.

  • Design and test of a parachute recovery system for the Ausroc 2.5 rocket

  • Commissioning of fibre winding machine for composite pressure vessels

    In 2003, UQ acquired a large fibre winding machine from ASRI/DSTO which can be used for the fabrication of various highly stressed components, including rocket motors, fuel tanks and fire extinguisher cases. This machine needs to be commissioned, programmed and used to prepare prototype fuel tanks fro the ASRI 'Ausroc 2.5' rocket project. The machine is currently configured for mechanical control, and the project involves conversion to computerised fibre positioning.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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