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)

301 - 320 of 329 works

1994

Conference Publication

High performance, compact free piston driver for shock tubes: practical considerations

Kendall, M. A. and Morgan, R. G. (1994). High performance, compact free piston driver for shock tubes: practical considerations. Proceedings of the 9th National Space Engineering Symposium 1994, Kensington, NSW, Australia, 5-7 September 1994. Institution of Engineers.

High performance, compact free piston driver for shock tubes: practical considerations

1994

Conference Publication

Supersonic Combustion Experiments in Free-Piston Reflected Shock Tunnels

Morgan, RG (1994). Supersonic Combustion Experiments in Free-Piston Reflected Shock Tunnels. Workshop on Combustion, Hampton Va, Oct 12-14, 1992. DORDRECHT: KLUWER ACADEMIC PUBL.

Supersonic Combustion Experiments in Free-Piston Reflected Shock Tunnels

1994

Conference Publication

Measurement of heating rates for earth entry at 13 kms-1

Neely, A. J. and Morgan, R. G. (1994). Measurement of heating rates for earth entry at 13 kms-1 . AIAA 25th Plasmadynamics and Lasers Conference, 1994, Colorado Springs, CO, June 20, 1994-June 23, 1994. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA. doi: 10.2514/6.1994-2606

Measurement of heating rates for earth entry at 13 kms-1

1994

Journal Article

Chemical recombination in an expansion tube

Bakos Robert J. and Morgan Richard G. (1994). Chemical recombination in an expansion tube. AIAA journal, 32 (6), 1316-1319. doi: 10.2514/3.12135

Chemical recombination in an expansion tube

1994

Conference Publication

Scramjet combustion and thrust measurements in a reflected shock tunnel with varied test gas atomic oxygen contamination

Bakos, R. J. and Morgan, R. G. (1994). Scramjet combustion and thrust measurements in a reflected shock tunnel with varied test gas atomic oxygen contamination. Reston, Virigina: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA. doi: 10.2514/6.1994-2520

Scramjet combustion and thrust measurements in a reflected shock tunnel with varied test gas atomic oxygen contamination

1993

Journal Article

Numerical Modeling of Wall-Injected Scramjet Experiments

Brescianini, CP and Morgan, RG (1993). Numerical Modeling of Wall-Injected Scramjet Experiments. Journal of Propulsion and Power, 9 (2), 169-175. doi: 10.2514/3.23605

Numerical Modeling of Wall-Injected Scramjet Experiments

1993

Conference Publication

Nonisentropic Shock Tunnel Driver Concepts

Kendall, MA and Morgan, RG (1993). Nonisentropic Shock Tunnel Driver Concepts. 8th National Space Engineering Symposium, St Lucia Australia, Sep 20-21, 1993. BARTON: INST ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA.

Nonisentropic Shock Tunnel Driver Concepts

1993

Conference Publication

Expansion Tube Simulation of Martian Hypervelocity Aerodynamics

Sutcliffe, MA, Morgan, RG and Neely, AJ (1993). Expansion Tube Simulation of Martian Hypervelocity Aerodynamics. 8th National Space Engineering Symposium, St Lucia Australia, Sep 20-21, 1993. BARTON: INST ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA.

Expansion Tube Simulation of Martian Hypervelocity Aerodynamics

1993

Conference Publication

Test-Time Optimization of a Large-Scale Hypervelocity Expansion Tunnel

Doolan, CJ and Morgan, RG (1993). Test-Time Optimization of a Large-Scale Hypervelocity Expansion Tunnel. 8th National Space Engineering Symposium, St Lucia Australia, Sep 20-21, 1993. BARTON: INST ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA.

Test-Time Optimization of a Large-Scale Hypervelocity Expansion Tunnel

1993

Conference Publication

Pushing the Edge of the Groundtesting Envelope - the Superorbital Expansion Tube

Neely, AJ and Morgan, RG (1993). Pushing the Edge of the Groundtesting Envelope - the Superorbital Expansion Tube. 8th National Space Engineering Symposium, St Lucia Australia, Sep 20-21, 1993. BARTON: INST ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA.

Pushing the Edge of the Groundtesting Envelope - the Superorbital Expansion Tube

1992

Conference Publication

Axisymmetric Scramjet Thrust Production

Bakos, RJ and Morgan, RG (1992). Axisymmetric Scramjet Thrust Production. 11th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference, Hobart Australia, Dec 14-18, 1992. HOBART: UNIVERSITY TASMANIA.

Axisymmetric Scramjet Thrust Production

1992

Conference Publication

A Compound Isentropic Free Piston Driver for Expansion Tunnels

Morgan, RG (1992). A Compound Isentropic Free Piston Driver for Expansion Tunnels. 11th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference, Hobart Australia, Dec 14-18, 1992. HOBART: UNIVERSITY TASMANIA.

A Compound Isentropic Free Piston Driver for Expansion Tunnels

1992

Conference Publication

Shock Interactions with Hypersonic Mixing Layers - Steady Flow Analysis and Experiments

Buttsworth, DR and Morgan, RG (1992). Shock Interactions with Hypersonic Mixing Layers - Steady Flow Analysis and Experiments. 11th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference, Hobart Australia, Dec 14-18, 1992. HOBART: UNIVERSITY TASMANIA.

Shock Interactions with Hypersonic Mixing Layers - Steady Flow Analysis and Experiments

1992

Conference Publication

Flow Measurements and Calibration of a Superorbital Expansion Tube

Neely, AJ and Morgan, RG (1992). Flow Measurements and Calibration of a Superorbital Expansion Tube. 11th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference, Hobart Australia, Dec 14-18, 1992. HOBART: UNIVERSITY TASMANIA.

Flow Measurements and Calibration of a Superorbital Expansion Tube

1992

Conference Publication

Effects of oxygen dissociation on hypcrvelocity combustion experiments

Bakos, R. J., Morgan, R. G. and Tamagno, J. (1992). Effects of oxygen dissociation on hypcrvelocity combustion experiments. AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE 28th Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, 1992, Nashville, TN, July 6, 1992-July 8, 1992. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA. doi: 10.2514/6.1992-3964

Effects of oxygen dissociation on hypcrvelocity combustion experiments

1992

Conference Publication

An investigation of a wall-injected scramjet using a shock tunnel

Brescianini, C. P. and Morgan, R. G. (1992). An investigation of a wall-injected scramjet using a shock tunnel. AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE 28th Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, 1992, Nashville, TN, United States, 6-8 July 1992. Reston, VA, United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA. doi: 10.2514/6.1992-3965

An investigation of a wall-injected scramjet using a shock tunnel

1988

Journal Article

Wave Processes in Scramjet Thrust Generation

Stalker, RJ, Morgan, RG and Netterfield, MP (1988). Wave Processes in Scramjet Thrust Generation. Combustion and Flame, 71 (1), 63-77. doi: 10.1016/0010-2180(88)90106-X

Wave Processes in Scramjet Thrust Generation

1987

Journal Article

HYDROGEN SCRAMJET WITH SIDE WALL INJECTION

Morgan, R. G., Paull, A., Morris, N. A. and Stalker, R. J. (1987). HYDROGEN SCRAMJET WITH SIDE WALL INJECTION. Trans Inst ENG Aust Multi Discip Eng, GEll (1), 45-51.

HYDROGEN SCRAMJET WITH SIDE WALL INJECTION

1987

Conference Publication

Silane as an ignition aid in scramjets

Morris, N. A., Morgan, R. G., Paull, A. and Stalker, R. J. (1987). Silane as an ignition aid in scramjets. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA. doi: 10.2514/6.1987-1636

Silane as an ignition aid in scramjets

1986

Journal Article

Shock Tunnel Measurements of Heat-Transfer in a Model Scramjet

Morgan, RG and Stalker, RJ (1986). Shock Tunnel Measurements of Heat-Transfer in a Model Scramjet. Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 23 (5), 470-475. doi: 10.2514/3.25831

Shock Tunnel Measurements of Heat-Transfer in a Model Scramjet

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
    WBM Consulting Engineers
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2001
    Conversion of RHYFL shock tunnel to an expansion tube
    ARC Collaborative Grant (SPIRT)
    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

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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

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