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

330 works between 1982 and 2025
All (330) Journal Article (97) Book Chapter (5) Conference Publication (226) Other Outputs (1) Edited Outputs (1)

101 - 120 of 330 works

2015

Journal Article

Vacuum ultraviolet spectral measurements for superorbital earth entry in X2 expansion tube

Sheikh, Umar A., Morgan, Richard G. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2015). Vacuum ultraviolet spectral measurements for superorbital earth entry in X2 expansion tube. AIAA Journal, 53 (12), 3589-3602. doi: 10.2514/1.J054027

Vacuum ultraviolet spectral measurements for superorbital earth entry in X2 expansion tube

2015

Journal Article

Performance considerations for expansion tube operation with a shock-heated secondary driver

Gildfind, David E., James, Chris M., Toniato, Pierpaolo and Morgan, Richard G. (2015). Performance considerations for expansion tube operation with a shock-heated secondary driver. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 777, 364-407. doi: 10.1017/jfm.2015.349

Performance considerations for expansion tube operation with a shock-heated secondary driver

2015

Journal Article

Free-piston driver performance characterisation using experimental shock speeds through helium

Gildfind, D. E., James, C. M. and Morgan, R. G. (2015). Free-piston driver performance characterisation using experimental shock speeds through helium. Shock Waves, 25 (2), 169-176. doi: 10.1007/s00193-015-0553-8

Free-piston driver performance characterisation using experimental shock speeds through helium

2015

Journal Article

Measurements of Air Plasma/Ablator Interactions in an Inductively Coupled Plasma Torch

MacDonald, Megan E., Jacobs, Carolyn M., Laux, Christophe O., Zander, Fabian and Morgan, Richard G. (2015). Measurements of Air Plasma/Ablator Interactions in an Inductively Coupled Plasma Torch. Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer, 29 (1), 12-23. doi: 10.2514/1.T4402

Measurements of Air Plasma/Ablator Interactions in an Inductively Coupled Plasma Torch

2015

Conference Publication

Scaled earth re-entry experiments in the X2 expansion tube

Fahy, Elise , Buttsworth, David and Morgan, Richard (2015). Scaled earth re-entry experiments in the X2 expansion tube. Asia-Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology, Cairns, QLD, Australia, 25 -27 November 2015.

Scaled earth re-entry experiments in the X2 expansion tube

2015

Conference Publication

Radiative heatflux measurements for Titan atmospheric entry condition in superorbital expansion tunnel

Porat, Hadas and Morgan, Richard (2015). Radiative heatflux measurements for Titan atmospheric entry condition in superorbital expansion tunnel. International Symposium on Shock Waves, Tel Aviv, Israel, 19-24 July 2015.

Radiative heatflux measurements for Titan atmospheric entry condition in superorbital expansion tunnel

2015

Conference Publication

T6: The Oxford University Stalker Tunnel

McGilvray, Matthew , Doherty, Luke , Morgan, Richard G. and Gildfind, David (2015). T6: The Oxford University Stalker Tunnel. 8th European Symposium on Aerothermodynamics for Space Vehicles, Lisbon, Portugal, 2-6 March 2015.

T6: The Oxford University Stalker Tunnel

2015

Conference Publication

Design and commissioning of a new lightweight piston for the X3 Expansion Tube

Gildfind, D. E., Morgan, R. G. and Sancho, J. (2015). Design and commissioning of a new lightweight piston for the X3 Expansion Tube. International Symposium on Shock Waves, Madison, WI, United States, 14-19 July 2013. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-16835-7_57

Design and commissioning of a new lightweight piston for the X3 Expansion Tube

2015

Conference Publication

High Mach Number Scramjet Test Flows in the X3 Expansion Tube

Gildfind, D. E., Sancho Ponce, J. and Morgan, R. G. (2015). High Mach Number Scramjet Test Flows in the X3 Expansion Tube. International Symposium on Shock Waves, Madison, WI, United States, 14-19 July 2013. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-16835-7_58

High Mach Number Scramjet Test Flows in the X3 Expansion Tube

2015

Conference Publication

T6: The Oxford University Stalker Tunnel

McGilvray, Matthew, Doherty, Luke, Morgan, Richard G. and Gildfind, David E. (2015). T6: The Oxford University Stalker Tunnel. International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conferences, Glasgow, Scotland, 6-9 July 2015. Reston, VA United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2015-3545

T6: The Oxford University Stalker Tunnel

2015

Conference Publication

Duplication of atmospheric entry in laboratories: what are radiatively coupled flows?

Morgan, Richard (2015). Duplication of atmospheric entry in laboratories: what are radiatively coupled flows?. International Planetary Probe Workshop, Cologne, Germany, 15-19 June 2015.

Duplication of atmospheric entry in laboratories: what are radiatively coupled flows?

2015

Conference Publication

Emission spectroscopy of a mach disk at Titan atmospheric entry conditions

Porat, Hadas, Zander, Fabian, Morgan, Richard G. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2015). Emission spectroscopy of a mach disk at Titan atmospheric entry conditions. International Symposium on Shock Waves, Madison, WI, United States, 14-19 July, 2013. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-16835-7_94

Emission spectroscopy of a mach disk at Titan atmospheric entry conditions

2015

Conference Publication

Limits of Simulating Gas Giant Entry at True Gas Composition and True Flight Velocities in an Expansion Tube

James, C. M., Gildfind, D. E., Morgan, R. G., Lewis, S. W., Fahy, E. J. and McIntyre, T.J. (2015). Limits of Simulating Gas Giant Entry at True Gas Composition and True Flight Velocities in an Expansion Tube. 8th European Symposium on Aerothermodynamics for Space Vehicles, Lisbon, Portugal, 2-6 March 2015.

Limits of Simulating Gas Giant Entry at True Gas Composition and True Flight Velocities in an Expansion Tube

2015

Conference Publication

Transitional and Turbulent Heating in Re-Entry flow, Presentation to the meeting of NATO STO AVT-240 RTG-082 working group on Hypersonic Transition

Morgan, Richard (2015). Transitional and Turbulent Heating in Re-Entry flow, Presentation to the meeting of NATO STO AVT-240 RTG-082 working group on Hypersonic Transition. Hypersonic Transition, Tuscon, Arizona, 26-27 March 2015.

Transitional and Turbulent Heating in Re-Entry flow, Presentation to the meeting of NATO STO AVT-240 RTG-082 working group on Hypersonic Transition

2015

Conference Publication

Simulating gas giant entry in an expansion tube

James, C., Gildfind, D., Morgan, R, Lewis, S., Fahy, E. and McIntyre, T. (2015). Simulating gas giant entry in an expansion tube. 7th Asia-Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology, Cairns, Australia, 25-27 November 2015.

Simulating gas giant entry in an expansion tube

2015

Conference Publication

Comparison of carbon ablative shock-layer radiation with high surface temperatures

Lewis, Steven W., Morgan, Richard G., McIntyre, Timothy J., Alba, Christopher R. and Greendyke, Robert B. (2015). Comparison of carbon ablative shock-layer radiation with high surface temperatures. 45th AIAA Thermophysics Conference, Dallas, TX, United States, 22-26 June, 2015. Reston, VA, United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2015-2348

Comparison of carbon ablative shock-layer radiation with high surface temperatures

2015

Conference Publication

Working towards simulating gas giant entry radiation in an expansion tube

James, C .M., Gildfind, D. E., Morgan, R. G. and McIntyre, T. J. (2015). Working towards simulating gas giant entry radiation in an expansion tube. International Symposium on Shock Waves, Madison, WI, United States, 14-19 July 2013. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-16835-7_89

Working towards simulating gas giant entry radiation in an expansion tube

2015

Conference Publication

Study of ablative systems in expansion tubes

Morgan, Richard (2015). Study of ablative systems in expansion tubes. Ablation Workshop, Tullahoma, TN, United States, 21-22 October 2015.

Study of ablative systems in expansion tubes

2015

Conference Publication

Measurements of radiating flow fields in the vacuum ultraviolet

Sheikh, U. A., Jacobs, C., Laux, C. O., Morgan, R. G. and McIntyre, T. J. (2015). Measurements of radiating flow fields in the vacuum ultraviolet. International Symposium on Shock Waves, Madison, WI, United States, 14-19 July 2013. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-16835-7_104

Measurements of radiating flow fields in the vacuum ultraviolet

2015

Conference Publication

On the current limits of simulating gas giant entry flows in an expansion tube

James, Christopher M., Gildfind, David E., Morgan, Richard G., Lewis, Steven W., Fahy, Elise J. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2015). On the current limits of simulating gas giant entry flows in an expansion tube. AIAA International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference, Glasgow, Scotland, 6 - 9 July 2015. Reston, VA, United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2015-3501

On the current limits of simulating gas giant entry flows in an expansion tube

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2028
    Investigation of Ablation Products in the Near Wake of a High-Speed Hypersonic Vehicle
    United States Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development
    Open grant
  • 2025 - 2026
    Experimental Validation of the MMT Thermochemical Nonequilibrium Air Chemistry Model in the X2 Free-piston Driven Expansion Tube
    United States Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Advancing the Science of Giant Planet Atmospheric Entry
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    Hypervelocity Heat flux Measurements
    Queensland Bavaria Collaborative Research Program - Seed Grant
    Open grant
  • 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
    Interplanetary Aerodynamics
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    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 - 1997
    Performance improvement of hypervelocity flow simulation facilities
    ARC Australian Research Council International F/S
    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
  • 1995
    Hypersonic Propulsion Research
    Australian Space Research Institute Limited
    Open grant
  • 1995 - 1997
    Interplanetary aerodynamics
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1995 - 1997
    Investigation of modes of heat transfer in superorbital flows
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Richard Morgan is:
Available for supervision

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

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigation of heat flux and catalycity for giant planet entry

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Chris James

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Non equilibrium reacting shock layers

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Tim McIntyre, Dr Chris James

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Measurement of infrared radiation signatures in the wake of an axisymmetric, hydrocarbon-fuelled, supersonic combustor

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Tim McIntyre

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigation of ablation radiation coupling for high speed Earth re-entry

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Tim McIntyre, Dr Chris James

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Atmospheric CN Radiation During NASA Dragonfly Entry to Titan

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Chris James

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Experimental and numerical study of the non-equilibrium flow environment experienced during ice giant planetary entry

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Chris James

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Methods for Studying Post-Shock Relaxation

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Chris James

  • Doctor Philosophy

    On the Repeatability and Flow Characterisation of Hypersonic Ground Test Facilities

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Rowan Gollan, Dr Carolyn Jacobs, Dr Chris James

Completed supervision

Enquiries

For media enquiries about Professor Richard Morgan's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au